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POV: Normal
Izuku sat on a bench across from his assigned homeroom teacher, who had called him in after school to discuss his future. The green-haired boy never imagined he'd have this conversation with any of the adults at school. Yes, he had filled out an application to U.A. for the hero course, but with his business growing and his hero aspirations nearly fading, he had no clear expectations for his future.
— That's something you should think about very carefully, Midoriya. And given your situation, even more so.
"The professor said, clearly alluding to his lack of distinctiveness, though he didn't say so directly. "Remarkably, you've maintained your average, but besides UA, you haven't shown any interest in other schools. And while it's good to aim high, we also need to make sure you have realistic expectations. That's why I'd like you to look at your options and list them on your sheet—as a backup, after all."
The professor sounded condescending, as if he too had high expectations of him. He saw him as a lost cause whom he needed to advise immediately. However, despite his obvious lack of faith, it seemed he had at least made the effort to intervene upon seeing him without a clear plan for his future.
He then handed him several brochures from schools that didn't focus on heroism, or that would even allow him to learn a trade. Brochures that Izuku received with some hesitation.
"Thank you, professor. I'll look into my options," was all he said before leaving the teachers' lounge with the papers in his hand.
But, even if he wanted to deny it, there was some truth to the teacher's words. He wasn't thinking much about his future anymore, beyond not getting caught.
And his mother's unchanged condition didn't leave him with many options if he wanted to continue paying the hospital bills as he was currently doing. In the end, his business was profitable for him, and it had also become something he found increasingly difficult to imagine giving up.
Even so, he knew he couldn't stay stuck. When his mother woke up, he wanted to give her something she could be proud of, and being a school dropout definitely wasn't going to do that.
So, whether she liked it or not, she had to think about her academic options.
He looked at the brochures in his hands and thought about it for a moment. They might allow him to continue studying, but that would be it. Those schools weren't prestigious or anything like that.No prestige whatsoever. Although they could be a viable option for staying under the radar by not standing out too much, I didn't see them as a real option.
Furthermore, deep down, he still wanted to get into UA, a remnant of his old childhood dream of becoming a hero. But considering what he'd been doing lately, he didn't think it was feasible.
She could enroll in the school as a General Education student, or even in the Support class with Mei. Somehow, just thinking about it made her happy.
At least she'd have a real friend at school.
And that would even give him firsthand information from many professionals and aspiring ones. It would be like having a mole on the inside… he thought.
But at the same time, that would mean walking straight into the lion's den, with the very real risk of being discovered. Not to mention that, in a way, he already had the attention of the UA director, even if the director didn't know who he really was.
And that same fear applied to any other school that taught heroism, where someone might discover it simply by being there.
There were many pros and cons.
It was something he would have to think about very carefully, because it could impact his future in many ways… and on different levels.
But she still had time to start sending out her applications, as well as preparing for the entrance exams, since it was only September. It wasn't too much time if she was serious, but enough to plan her next move.
He could try it that same day. He had managed to get a lot of his work done, so he had some free time.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts about schools that he didn't notice the group of boys turning the corner. The collision was practically unavoidable.
"Hey, watch out!" shouted one of the students, who, unlike Izuku, managed to stay on his feet. Seeing him on the ground, he smiled maliciously at the scattered flyers.
"Looks like someone took pity on you and wanted to give you a chance."
With that, she approached the boy on the floor and grabbed his hair while small laughs echoed in the hallway.
— But I don't think even those schools would accept you.— Hey! Stop wasting time and don't block the way.
The voice behind them made the group almost want to confront whoever was interrupting their after-school fun. However, they quickly dismissed the idea when they saw who the voice belonged to.
Katsuki Bakugo.
— Kacchan… —was all Izuku could say when he saw him, more out of habit than anything else, a habit he hadn't quite managed to break, even if he wanted to.
"I said to stop getting in the way," he repeated his threat as small sparks began to form in his hands as a final warning.
Without saying anything else, the other teenagers cleared the hallway in a flash, leaving the blond and the green-haired boy alone.
"Thank you," Izuku finally said, surprised to have been saved by him again.
— It's not about you, nerd.
Without saying anything else, Bakugo started walking away, ignoring the other's presence. In the process, he stepped on some flyers lying on the ground, which caught his attention enough for him to pick one up.
He looked at the paper for a few seconds before looking up at Izuku.
— You should listen to the teacher.
That was all he said before dropping the leaflet again and leaving the place.
Scene Change
"That teacher really doesn't know you," Mitsuki said angrily as she looked at the school brochures, noticing that very few even had a basic website to learn more about them, and that they didn't offer any information other than what was already on the papers.
"Well, at least he was giving me some options," Izuku tried to defend himself, although the blonde clearly showed her disagreement with the absent adult.
"Options you don't really need," she said, taking the pamphlets and throwing them in the trash. "I know things have been a little tough for you lately, but you've tried so hard to keep going. Please don't relapse and don't lower your standards like this. I know you've already reconsidered the idea of being a hero, butI don't think you should give up on a good education, like the one UA could offer.
And if you're worried about running into Katsuki in the hallways, I assure you that that airhead won't do anything inappropriate. Or if that's not the case, you can always look for another school if that's what you really want—he lectured, while glancing at the brochures in the trash—but not those.
"I'll think about it," was all Izuku could say.
The conversation had started after lunch, while Izuku was placing the papers on the coffee table. Mitsuki quickly glanced through them, and upon seeing them and asking for explanations, an awkward discussion ensued about how the green-haired boy had considered any of those schools as a plausible option. Clearly, Mitsuki didn't take kindly to this. After saying goodbye with the promise to bring him mild curry on his next visit,
Izuku was once again alone in his house.
She watched through the window as Aunt Mitsuki walked away from the apartment. She walked over to the trash can where the professor's pamphlets had been thrown away. She looked at them as if they were the most interesting thing in the world, but she soon realized that Mitsuki was right: she couldn't accept that "kind offer."
No, he was right. Mitsuki said he had potential, and he'd seen it clearly on his website. He'd built it all himself, without anyone telling him it wasn't possible. Now he possessed the power he'd created himself. He could finally see his potential, the potential he hadn't believed he was capable of because of his "genetic defect"—not having a quirk like most people.
She couldn't settle for an average school. She could aim higher… and she'd already seen it.
He immediately went to his room and began searching for schools. There were too many options he had never considered, too many curricula that were opportunities he hadn't contemplated because he had been so focused on his heroic mission.
While he couldn't deny that hero academies were more focused on that aspect, their other career paths and programs offered a wide range of opportunities.
Business, support services, general studies, politics, social sciences, even the arts: any career beyond heroism was well-received in the job market, ensuring a more stable future.
But one question lingered in his mind: Did he really want the world to see him? To know him for who he was, even without a Quirk? Many would recognize him, and despite his achievements, that could cause him more problems than benefits. He'd already experienced it. If he was recognized and acclaimed, there would always be someone who wanted to undermine his success because he was Quirkless.Its potential was great, but there would always be those who tried to undermine it.
Other schools could give him a good opportunity and keep him in a more "average" environment. He would still face challenges from those he didn't like, but he wouldn't be as exposed as he was at UA. That would even benefit his business, which was groundbreaking in many ways.
Even if I'm not very conspicuous, they might find me eventually.
Even if the hero school gives me the chance to gather firsthand information, it would be like walking into the lion's den; I could be caught at any moment. Although, I'd also have privileges no other informant could get, unless they had a spy inside one of those academies. Ha, that would be more than ironic and hilarious, since I'd be the least noticeable and the least suspected because of my lack of a Quirk. An unnoticed shadow.
For a moment, I paused my search for a school as I gazed out the window at UA. I couldn't help it. Mei plans to apply there to the support department, and it's not bad to have a helping hand, especially since her parents also see my potential to get into the same department. But Kacchan will also be there, and even though he doesn't bother me anymore and strangely defends me at school, I don't know how he'll take my continued application there, even if I don't get into the hero department.
There are too many pros and cons to every decision: taking big risks for big rewards or playing it safe and maintaining a "normal life." Being a kind of informant with a famous website that both heroes and villains visit for advice, in addition to managing a slowly growing information network, is anything but normal. Even my "secret" life can't be considered normal.
Anyway, there's too much to gain or lose depending on what I decide. High risks, big rewards; low risks, small rewards, but guaranteed safety. It's actually quite fun, because I've been taking several risks lately and nothing's happened… but I don't know how much longer I can push my luck.
These thoughts can linger and lead nowhere, even though time isn't on my side.
Entrance exams are coming up, and I haven't made a decision yet. What should I do? What's the best option? What would make Mom proud when she wakes up? She was worried at one point because she wanted me to be a hero, and she was relieved when I let go of that idea. Regular or lower-risk studies would really make her happy, and I'd like her to be free of worries when she wakes up.Even so… I'm already taking a risk with this website. How many more risks can I take?
Can I partially fulfill my shattered dream? What other challenges can I overcome?
Should I take on another challenge, or is it better to stick to the safe route? What do I want for my future? So many unknowns, all related to a decision that could affect me greatly in the long run. A school could determine my path, and I'm only just beginning to think about it.
Perhaps the professor wasn't trying too hard to motivate me, but I should thank him for taking the time to think about my future for a moment. I won't decide anything today; time is running out, but I need to think my decision through carefully.
I save the information and make a note, like a couple of reminders, to give myself time to schedule and continue this research later. I shut down the computer and retreat to a corner of my room to get the materials from a box and continue with my computer security project. It's too late to go out and attend to business or respond to requests. How I wish I had someone to help me… but today I can't trust anyone. I neglected the clients last night, although if I wake up early tomorrow I might be able to make some progress before school. Well, it's time to take care of something else.
Could you give me some power stones? :)
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