Chapter Text
Izuku straightened his tie as he looked in the mirror, furrowing his eyebrows when he saw that it was still a bit crooked. He didn’t have time to redo it, so he decided that he would ask Tenya to fix it for him before school started. He grabbed his bag and made his way downstairs, his mind racing as he thought about what he had waiting for him today.
It was his first day as a hybrid student of Somei Academy and UA, a decision he had made with his mom and Nedzu after they had shown him his various options. They didn’t seem surprised by his choice, quickly making the arrangements with both schools so that he could start classes as soon as possible. Based on the stories he had heard from his friends, the students and teachers of Somei were kind and welcoming to everyone - regardless of quirk status.
He reached the dining room, smiling when he saw Keigo and Dabi putting out place settings while joking around with each other. The two men looked up when he plopped his bag on a chair, their eyes immediately landing on his bunched up tie.
“Need a hand with that tie, squirt?” Dabi asked, already moving forward to assist. Izuku blushed in embarrassment, he didn’t think the tie looked that bad. Instead of voicing his thoughts he simply nodded, standing still as his older brother fixed his tie for him.
“You know, I’d be happy to give you a few lessons on how to properly tie one of those.” Isamu said as he walked out of the kitchen, his hands filled with plates of pancakes as he made his way towards the table.
It wasn’t uncommon to see various members of the family at their breakfast and dinner table, but the man had made sure to attend almost every meal they held. He was a constant presence in their lives, something Izuku appreciated more and more as time went on.
“That’d be nice.” He replied, but his hungry eyes were already surveying the spread in front of them. Isamu had been trying to get them to appreciate “fine” American dining, showing off the meals he learned to make during his five year stint in the states. Pancakes had quickly become a household favorite, especially when they could be packed with protein tailored for a house full of heroes and heroes in training.
Izuku helped carry out the rest of the plates once he was done admiring the meal. He was about to take a seat when the front door opened, and he smiled brightly as his three friends came barreling through the door.
“Like I said before, we can beat up anyone who tries to even look at Izuku wrong.” Hitoshi was looking at Tenya as he spoke, and Izuku laughed at his friend’s casual threats of violence.
“You know I can just beat them up myself, right?” Izuku grinned as he went to greet them. He hadn’t expected them to pick him up for school, but it was a welcome surprise. Things had gotten much better between them after their fight at Mirko’s agency, but he still owed them a real apology for his behavior.
“I do not believe that the faculty at Somei would appreciate us fighting our fellow students.” Tenya scolded, but he paused for a moment before pushing his glasses up his nose.
“But there are certain circumstances where that might be necessary.” The blue-haired boy had a mischievous grin as they all sat down at the table, and Izuku couldn’t stop smiling as he ate breakfast with his friends and family.
The front door opened again to reveal Rumi, still in her hero uniform after a night shift. Her nose twitched as she made her way to the dining room, her eyes lighting up when she saw the stacks of pancakes.
“Mornin’.” She mumbled before grabbing a plate and stacking it with the delicious spheres.
“Good morning sweetheart, would you like some coffee?” Izuku’s mom asked, but she was already pouring his older sister a generous serving. Rumi nodded, humming as she ate her meal. Izuku went back to eating until a thought crossed his mind.
“Rumi, weren’t you planning on going back to your apartment after your shift today?” He was confused, especially as he watched his older sister struggling to keep her eyes open as she finished off her meal. Rumi quirked an eyebrow at him and sat up straight, stretching her arms over her head to wake herself up.
“And miss my little brother’s first day at his new school?” She ruffled his hair as she got up to wash her plate, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile as he thought about her words.
The rest of breakfast was spent listening as Tenya gave him a rundown of their teachers and classmates, with the added commentary of Hitoshi and Mei sprinkled in. All of his classes were with his friends, and he would spend his mornings and lunch at Somei before heading to UA for the rest of his day. He was excited to go to school without having to worry about bullies or trying to prove himself to anyone.
The children helped clean up all of the dishes once they were finished with their meals, and Rumi gave Izuku a bone-crushing hug and a grumbled ‘good luck’ before passing out on the couch.
“Good luck, little bird.” Keigo ruffled his hair before pulling him into a hug and squeezing him.
“If anyone gives you any problems, you know where to find us.” The hero continued, his eyes glinting darkly as he made his way towards the door. It was clear his older brother had been struggling a bit since the incident at Aldera, but Dabi had insisted that he was helping his boyfriend through it. Izuku never wanted to overstep, but he also understood the dangers of trying to deal with these types of things on your own. He just hoped his brother knew that he had a support system.
“Give them hell, Zuku.” Dabi kissed the top of his head and gave him a thumbs up as he followed Keigo out the door. Izuku chuckled and rolled his eyes, letting his thoughts drift back to the day ahead of him.
He shouldered his bag, making his way to the kitchen so that he could say goodbye to his mom and Isamu as well. His mother had wanted to drive him to school, but he had convinced her to let him ride the train with his friends. It would be fun to commute with his friends each day, something to look forward to in the mornings before they had to face the trials of academia. His ride to UA in the afternoon would be its own joy, a time for him to be by himself to decompress before whatever Nedzu had planned for him.
“Have a great day baby, I can’t wait to hear all about it.” His mom kissed his face all over, and he tried to hide his face behind his hands to rebuke the onslaught of affection.
“Mom! That is so embarrassing.” He whined while laughing. Hitoshi had his phone out, and his mischievous grin made it clear that he had captured the moment on his camera.
“I was just trying to wish my baby boy good luck, but I guess you’re too old for that now.” Inko winked at him and gave his forehead one last kiss before picking up her cup of coffee and taking a sip.
“Good luck, sharpshooter. I’ll meet you outside the shooting range when classes are over.” Isamu pulled him in for a quick hug and gave him a strong pat on the back. The man had offered to give Izuku a ride home from UA, something he was grateful for. Izuku always enjoyed one-on-one time with Isamu, and he looked forward to telling him about his day later on.
The kids said their last goodbyes and made their way to the train station, laughing and joking around as they enjoyed their new routine. Mei was telling Izuku about a new idea for Dabi’s hero suit while Hitoshi and Tenya talked about a new video game that just came out. There was a lightness in the air, but something still sat heavily on Izuku’s chest.
It sat on his mind as they waited for the train, and its weight continued to press down on his mind as they rode to their stop. There was something he had to do before they made the first steps on this new journey together.
The walk from the train station to Somei Academy was short, but it gave Izuku enough time to think over his words as they approached the sprawling campus. It was a beautiful school, one Izuku couldn’t wait to explore over the next two years with his friends. He stopped right outside the gate, stepping to the side so that other students could head in for the day. His friends noticed his pause, and they stood next to him with concerned faces as he gazed up at the school.
“Izuku, it's okay to be nervous.” Hitoshi said, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder as a sign of support. Izuku smiled at his friend and softly brushed his arm off. His nerves weren’t important right now.
“Before we go inside I have something I need to say.” He made sure to look up as he spoke, to show he was serious about every word that left his mouth.
“What’s going on?” Tenya asked, his eyes filled with worry as he waited for the shorter boy to respond.
Izuku took a deep breath, briefly going over what he wanted to say before he spoke again.
“I am deeply sorry for how I treated you all. You have been great friends to me and I pushed you away when you were only trying to help me.” Izuku’s fingers began playing with the hem of his blazer as his eyes began to dart around.
“I promise that I will come to you all whenever I am experiencing something like that, and I will never treat you that way again.” He waited with baited breath, hoping that his intentions were clear. His friends had forgiven him with their actions, but he wanted to use his words to put this all behind him.
Three pairs of arms wrapped around him suddenly, crushing him in a tight group hug as his friends spoke over each other.
“We’ve already forgiven you, idiot!” Mei exclaimed, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stuffed her face into Izuku’s chest.
“That was a very honorable apology, Izuku!” Tenya tightened his hold as his glasses began to slip down his nose.
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” Hitoshi gave Izuku one last squeeze before letting go, giving him a genuine smile before gesturing to the front gate of the building.
“Now, I think it’s time for you to start your first day at Somei.”
───※ ·❆· ※───
Izuku’s first day at Somei Academy could be described in many different ways, depending on how you looked at it. There was the chaos that came with sharing a classroom with his three best friends, especially when Mei insisted on telling everyone that they were business partners whenever she got the chance. There was the surprise he felt when his quirklessness was easily accepted - his fellow students were more interested in why he was transferring so late into the year than his quirk status.
The joy he felt as he sat at a lunch table with his best friends, free to eat his meal and joke around without wondering if he would be attacked.
Here he was not Deku, the quirkless freak who occasionally mumbled and was an easy target. He was Midoriya, a student with potential and friends that were by his side the entire day.
His classmates were friendly, each of them coming up to introduce themselves and wish him luck at Somei. Izuku briefly wondered if his friends had said anything threatening before his first day, but he decided he would let them have their fun if it meant the rest of the school year would be peaceful for him.
The first part of the day had gone by quickly, the hours melting away until it was time for lunch and then his train ride to UA. His walk back to the station was relaxing, although people gave him strange looks as he passed by in his school uniform in the middle of the day. It probably looked like he was skipping, but he’d make sure to get some type of pass from Nedzu in case anyone asked too many questions.
Although the route was a bit different, the journey to UA was a familiar one for him after so many years training at the school. He got off at his stop and made the trek to UA’s campus, his mind wandering as he walked. Izuku couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of his day would involve, but he knew Nedzu would have something exciting for him to do.
He passed through the front gate, smiling as he saw students milling about campus as they walked to class or took a break on the lawn. Some of the students seemed intrigued by the middle schooler walking around their campus, but most of them quickly turned their attention back to their books or their friends. Izuku entered the main building, using a few secret routes to get to Nedzu’s office quickly without running into too many people.
He waved at the hidden cameras along his path, and the principal’s door opened before he could even knock.
“Hello, Izuku!” Nedzu greeted from his desk, jumping up when he saw his personal student walk through the door. Izuku greeted his mentor and poured himself a cup of hot tea, breathing in the flowery aroma and immediately relaxing as he sat in one of the lounge chairs facing the desk.
“How was your first day at Somei?” Nedzu asked as he made himself a cup of tea. Izuku told the principal about his new teachers and classmates, emphasizing the kindness and respect that they had shown him. He was sure that his mom and Nedzu wouldn’t hesitate to shut down another school if necessary, and he wanted to avoid that if possible.
Nedzu went over a few things with him, including what they would be covering for the rest of the school year. He’d be working on his quirk analysis, viewing the hero classes and helping the teachers make adjustments to their training. There would be days where he would be in the support lab, working on his own projects and learning new skills. His mentor also wanted him to work on his language skills, sharpening his English and exploring other languages that would be useful to him.
When they were finished discussing any projects Izuku wanted to work on over the next few months, Nedzu clapped his hands and jumped down from his desk chair.
“As we discussed, I have someone I’d like for you to meet today.” Nedzu made his way out of the room, and Izuku followed behind obediently.
He was curious who he would be meeting, as he had met all of the staff of UA over the years through random holiday parties or his visits to UA. His family members were the ones he was closest to, of course, but he had gotten to know members of the staff like Ectoplasm and Lunch Rush fairly well. Recovery Girl had even helped heal him when he had a particularly nasty cold a year back.
They walked through the halls, eventually ending up in a wing of the school that Izuku wasn’t familiar with. There were mostly empty offices in this part of the school, places for visiting heroes or new staff members to set up their spaces. Nedzu approached a half-opened door, carefully knocking to alert whoever was inside of their presence.
“Come in.” A gruff voice called out, and Izuku followed the principal into the office.
Someone was bent over a box in the back corner of the room, and the entire space looked like it was still being put together. When the man stood up, Izuku immediately recognized him as the pro hero Hound Dog.
“Izuku, I’d like you to meet UA’s new head of security and counseling.” Nedzu gestured towards the hero, who nodded his head in acknowledgement.
“It is nice to meet you officially, kid. I’ve heard a lot about you from the other staff.” Hound Dog reached out and shook Izuku’s hand, then gestured for him to sit.
“Is this about starting therapy?” Izuku turned to Nedzu. He had promised to start going to therapy, but he didn’t realize he would be starting his first day of school.
“We won’t be having a session today, if that’s what you mean. This is just a way for us to get to know each other and see if I’m the right therapist for you and your needs.” Hound Dog assured, his voice much softer than Izuku would expect from a hero with his reputation.
Izuku took his seat hesitantly, but he began to relax a bit as his eyes drifted around the room. He trusted Nedzu, and it seemed that Nedzu trusted Hound Dog enough to be the school counselor. While he may be nervous, he would approach the situation with an open mind.
“Izuku, meet me in my office when you two are finished.” Nedzu patted his hair and made his way into the vents of the school, probably planning on scaring a few teachers on his way back.
Hound Dog sat at his desk and sorted through a few things before looking up at Izuku.
“So, Midoriya. Do you have any questions for me about therapy? Or anything, really.” The hero’s eyes were soft and welcoming, much different than what someone would expect from the Hunting Dog hero.
Izuku thought for a few moments, but he already knew the first question he would ask. It used to be a question he used to get affirmation, but now it was a way to gauge the heroes he met.
“Hound Dog, do you think quirkless people can be heroes?” He asked the question plainly, but he held his breath as he waited for a response.
The hero looked at him intensely for a few moments, but nodded his head in appreciation before speaking.
“I think that anyone can become a hero with the right motivation and training, regardless of their quirk.” Hound Dog replied, and Izuku couldn’t detect any deception in his tone.
“Also, you can just call me Inui, kid.” The hero finished.
“Thank you, Inui.” Izuku smiled at the counselor.
Perhaps therapy wouldn’t be too bad, after all.
───※ ·❆· ※───
The weeks began to pass by as Izuku got settled into his new routine. His training was balanced with trips to the arcade with his friends and siblings, therapy sessions with Inui, and whatever trouble he and Mei could get into at the lab.
He felt secure, more secure than he had ever been before. There were still moments where anger threatened to overtake him, but he was learning how to control it.
Heroes continued to sign up to support their movement by volunteering their time and donating money. Izuku didn’t miss the various donations the Bakugou’s had made, but he wasn’t quite ready to face that just yet.
“Izuku, are you ready?” His mom called from downstairs, and he looked himself over in the mirror one last time before leaving his room and walking down the stairs.
The entire family was gathered for a picture, something Inko had insisted on after she realized they did not have a family portrait. Everyone had been instructed to come, including Grandma Hizuki and Mr. Kobayashi.
Inko was sitting at the center of the couch with Isamu, Mr. Kobayashi and Grandma Hizuki flanking them on either side. Hitoshi, Tenya, and Mei were sitting on the floor in front of her - Izuku quickly joined them there before glancing at everyone else.
Keigo and Dabi were sitting on one end of the couch, with Dabi’s arm casually draped over his boyfriend’s shoulders. Tensei and Rumi were at the other end, throwing taunts and kissy faces at the couple.
Mic, Sho, Emi, and Nemuri were standing behind the couch chatting with Jeanist. Tsukauchi and Higari stood next to them, listening quietly to the chaotic conversation. Nedzu seemed content standing on Shota’s shoulder, sipping on his signature cup of tea.
The photographer finished setting up, helping everyone get into position as she adjusted her camera.
“Alright everyone! On the count of three!” She instructed cheerfully.
Izuku and his friends wrapped their arms around each other and pulled themselves in close, all of their heads were smushed together as they smiled brightly.
This family was his home, and he was ready to face the future with them.
───※ ·❆· ※───
Green Bean Protection Squad
Mama Inko: Dinner will be ready in about an hour, Isamu cooked up something special to celebrate the end of the Aldera trials :)
Uncle Sleepy (Aizawa): We will be there shortly, we wanted to pick up some dessert for everyone.
Rat God (Nedzu): Splendid, I brought over a delicious new tea blend that would pair perfectly with sweets.
MiniSleepy (Hitoshi): Dad insisted on us getting a decorated cake…
Uncle Loud (Mic): Hey! Celebrations need a special cake to go along with them.
Ronald McDonald (Ms. Joke): Ohhh! I’m down for cake. Nem and I are on the train now :)
NyQuil (Midnight): We brought some wine for the grown ups and a few fancy non-alcoholic drinks for the kiddos!
Future Mad Scientist (Mei): No fair! I want some wine.
Mole Man (Power Loader): Nope.
Mole Man (Power Loader): Also, we’ll be there in about twenty minutes.
Denim4Lyf (Jeanist): I am walking up now, I picked up a few movies I thought we could watch later on.
Carrot Lover (Mirko): Isamu won’t let me steal a taste of whatever he’s making >:( But it smells so gooooooooooddddd!
YeeHaw (Snipe): If you help set the table I will give you a small plate.
Birb (Hawks): … Rumi just launched herself over the couch
Emo Bro (Dabi): I’ve never seen her move so fast in my life….
ZoomZoom (Tensei): You would think she was the one with the speed enhancement quirk
ZoomZoomJr (Tenya): We should help out whether we get a reward or not! …. Although I would not deny a taste of whatever Isamu is preparing
The Man in the Yellow Hat (Tsukauchi): I’m finishing up some paperwork but I will be on my way soon. Everyone at the station wanted me to say congratulations. :)
GreenBean (Izuku): Please thank them for all of their work gathering evidence towards the cases :)
GreenBean (Izuku): Also… I don't say this nearly enough but, I love you all. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I hope I can continue making you proud.