Izuku nervously tapped on his turned off phone, his eyes unfocused as he made his way to his apartment. His other hand grasped his backpack tightly, betraying some of his nervous thoughts. Said thoughts were distracted by the test he had just taken.
'I mean we did well on the written portion and the practical, but we shouldn't be-'
'Hulk did well. Puny Midoriya did well too. We got in.'
'I hope so. Still it is pretty nerve wracking…'
'Hmph..'
Although the young hero had a support system now with his idol as a mentor and the strength of his friend turned crush, part of him still had doubts. In the back of his mind. Some would not see Hulk's work on the practical as heroic, but monstrous. That they would be like everyone else and see a villain in the making. Years of isolation and jeers don't just vanish.
Sure part of despaired in it, but a darker part just got angrier. A darker part was just tired of it and wanted to show how monstrous he could be. To protect him and those he cared about no matter the cost. Just to have those who would jeer him be d…
Izuku shook his head at that as he got out of his thoughts. Now was not the time for doubts and despair. He just did well on an exam after all. With a grin he came to his front door and entered.
"I'm home."
Quickly he was greeted with a hug and a kiss from his mother. He took a moment top look her over. Her joining had done wonders for her health as she now no longer was overweight.
"Oh dear! How was the exam?"
"Well me and Hulk tried our best."
'Hulk smash robots good!'
Her hug tightened before she let him go and they both found themselves on the couch.
"Well dear, no matter what happens I'm proud of you."
Izuku smiled at that.
"Thanks mom."
They shared a moment of silence before a realization dawned on Inko's face. Quickly, she got the remote and started flipping through channels. Izuku looked a bit confused before his mother explained herself.
"Toshi told me All Might was calling a press conference. Should be on soon."
Izuku gave an excited smile at that news. True to his fanboy ways, he could barely contain himself. However before he could get too excited, something his mother said caught his attention.
"Wait, did you just say 'Toshi'?"
Inko blushed as her grip on the remote tightened. She then looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"W-W-Well we've b-b-been meeting for weekly checkups. S-S-Sometimes at coffee shops or restaurants."
Izuku gave a smile. His thoughts were angry for a moment thinking of his birth father, but the smile quickly returned.
"It's okay mom. I'm fine if you're dating someone. Even Mr. Yagi."
'Scratch that, I'm very interested in it. Who wouldn't want All Might as a dad!'
'Hulk approve!'
Inko met her son's gaze with a smile and another hug as she found the channel she was looking for. After a look that was a silent thank you, the mother and son turned their attention to the screen as the conference began.
With flashing cameras and a podium set was where the show began. Currently at the podium was hero news expert and telecaster Daikaku Miyagi. The horned man was dressed formally as always and looked to the camera as he greeted the audience of other reporters.
"Welcome to this special conference tonight, I'm your host as always Daikaku Miyagi. Cue to recent events one of our top heroes has requested a special moment to speak. As a man of the media it was my duty to see it done. So please without further delay, let us welcome the Number One hero! The Symbol of Peace: All Might!."
The aforementioned Symbol of Peace entered with mass applause from the audience. His signature smile shone bright as he waved to the adoring public, both in the studio and at home. With a laugh he stood at the podium and addressed his audience.
"Greetings everyone! I AM HERE for a special message!"
All the reporters and audience members quieted down, eager to hear the Number One speak. All Might tapped the mic and his smile grew a little sad with the message he wanted to share.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I wanted to talk to you about Quirks! More importantly what society views those we deem villainous!"
The symbol gripped the edges of the podium, cracks appearing. It was clear to those watching that he had words on his mind.
"I'll start by saying this: There are no villainous quirks!"
The audience was struck silent, absorbing his statement.
"Ever since the Dawn of Quirks and even before, people have been judged by their basic appearance. Looking only at the surface and not underneath. After Quirks though, it moved to what power they didn't even get to choose."
The symbol's blue eyes were slight with passion. A passion for justice.
"I've met countless individuals in my career as a hero. Helped in many shelters and foster systems. The amount of people in those positions, simply for their quirks, saddened me to my core."
The mood dropped as All Might's smile faded and was replaced with righteous anger.
"Then there are those who would manipulate those. Violent organizations such as Humarise, the Anti-Mutant Cult and even long forgotten ones such as the Meta Liberation Army. These vile people take and spread such fear in service of chaos."
All Might's smile grew hopeful once more as his mood softened.
"However, I AM HERE to tell you I have a dream. The peace I worked so hard for is for everyone regardless of what their quirk is. So to those across this world, listen to my words!"
All those with what were deemed monstrous or villainous quirks leaned in, eager to hear what the Symbol of Peace's message.
"Don't be the monster they say you are! Anyone can be a hero!"
He then pointed to the camera, his smile warm and comforting.
"Even you!"
Izuku felt tears down his cheeks as he absorbed his mentor's message. His mother's arms around him as she comforted him and cried with him.
'All Might-
-thanks…'
His phone vibrated as he looked down at it. It was a text from Momo.
'All Might. He truly is the greatest.'
'Yeah. The best.'
'Ready to become a hero?'
'Yes. Both me and Hulk!'
'We'll do it together. Momo…'
Unbeknownst to the young hero, the girl had the same thoughts about him.
In the city, a pale girl wearing a torn school uniform with her blonde hair in buns looked at the t.v. in the store with her wide cat like eyes. Tears gathered as she held a claw-like hand to her chest.
'I'm not a monster…'
In another part of the city, a boy dressed in a simple black t-shirt and sweats with pale blue hair and red eyes watched the t.v. with contempt. Scratching his neck, he looked at the Symbol of Peace hatefully.
'Peace…What a joke!'
Bakugou, an All Might fan himself, watched with angry eyes. While he knew he couldn't judge a villain based on what quirk a person had, he knew that actions told the whole story. He knew the object of his ire was a beast waiting to explode. Ever since that day.
'If I leave the monster alone, it could destroy everyone.'
One week later
Izuku nervously tapped his foot on the apartment floor, phone clasped tightly in his grasp as the sounds of the television were distant to him as he sat on the couch. With a week passed since the entrance exam, the nerves had set in. Add to the fact that he had not talked to his mentor since the test and the boy's earlier confidence had faded. It was still present, but had been whittled down.
'Puny Midoriya know better! U.A. be stupid if not let him and Hulk in.'
''I know. Just nervous, there were so many great quirks there!'
'None as strong as Hulk!'
'Heh. True.'
His phone shone with text between him and Momo. While their respective trainers gave them the week off to wait for their test results, they still met to hang out. The thought at first made them both blush, but they both unknowingly reasoned it as just a hang out between two friends. Not a date. Not at all.
Anyway, they had been trading text and talking about their results, both absorbed over the other's methods at passing their test. Both could depend on the other to alleviate some of the stress of result waiting. However, upon this day they agreed to only text when their letters arrived.
As if fate heard this promise his mother came scrambling behind him, breaking him out of his funk. She had a sealed envelope in her grasp.
"I-Izuku! The letter! It's from U.A. !"
Izuku's own moment of surprise was interrupted when his phone vibrated. He felt he already knew what the message was , but he looked down to confirm his suspicion. It was a text from Momo, just as he suspected.
'My letter came!'
'Mine too!'
'Where do you want to open them?'
'Well we usually did hero training at your house.'
Momo saw an opportunity and took it. Blushing, she sent her request.
'We can do it at your house if you want?'
Izuku was now the one blushing, but found he could not refuse his crush's request.
'Sure. I'll see you when you get here.'
Momo cheered silently to herself as she texted her response.
'Okay! I'll be there within the hour.'
Izuku smiled at the message and felt some confidence return. I mean he just asked his crush to show up to his home.
'This is good. If i got in-'
'We got in.'
'IF we got in. Then I'll be good enough for her.'
Turning, he noticed his mom was looking over his shoulder. She had tears in her eyes as she processed the fact her baby was growing up. Izuku's blush deepened as his mother hugged him deeply. Soon they began to prepare for his crush's arrival. She liked tea if he recalled correctly.
Momo gave herself one last look over as she prepared to knock on her crush's door. She had chosen casual wear of a white ruffled blouse with a blue bow on the chest with a red skirt. She wanted to look presentable, overly formal. She was just hanging out with a friend after all. Though hopefully after this visit they will be more. She blushed at the thought as she knocked on the door.
After some rummaging inside, the door unlocked and Izuku greeted her on the other side. He wore a green shirt with the kanji for 't-shirt' on it as well as purple basketball shorts. He had a smile on his face as his green eyes met her onyx ones.
"Hello Midoriya."
"Hey Yaoyorozu."
They stood, simply looking at each other until Izuku caught himself. He stepped aside and motioned with his hand.
"Please come in."
She nodded her head and thanked him as she removed her shoes in the front area and the pair found themselves walking down the entrance hall to his living room. She liked his home, it was quaint.
"Where's your mom?"
"Oh she left for a meeting of her own. Wanted to give us some privacy. "
Izuku mentally loved his mother dating again, some anger flashing at the thought of his birth father. However if her meeting worked out she would be happier and that is all he cared about. He thought of her going on dates with his mentor. Those thoughts then turned to him and Momo. The thought of this as a date made him blush, but he quickly hid it.
Momo meanwhile silently gave thanks and a blush as well. She liked Inko, but if the day was going the way it was going too she needed privacy. No one likes admitting feelings in front of others, even family members. The thought of Inko being family made her blush harder before she hid it.
Luckily fate smiled on the teens today so this confession should go smoothly, they unknowingly both thought.
Eventually they found their way to his couch and sat down, some teacups and crackers were set up next to what she could assume was Midoriya's own U.A. letter.
"Mom made us some tea and snacks if you want some. I helped"
"Now that you mention it, I am quite parched. Thank you."
She put her letter down next to his as she grasped a teacup. She drank and found the liquid warm and soothing. She saw Izuku looking at her quizzically, some amount of hope in his eyes.
"It's delicious, my compliments to the brewers"
"Thanks. It's just regular green tea from a supermarket."
"Well maybe I'll ask my mother if she could get this kind. It's quite good."
They shared a laugh before continuing to drink. Both simply enjoying the other's presence.
Izuku fist pumped in his head. Momo likes the tea he helped made.
'Just ask. She like Puny Midoriya.'
'Not yet. Letter first.'
Momo seemed to read his mind as she put the teacup down. She grasped her own letter as Izuku grasped his. Both trembling in excitement and dread. They had hoped for good news, but being teenagers couldn't help but think of the worst. Instantly they both turned to each other and met eyes.
"You can go first if you want./ After you, Midoriya."
They both froze and then let out a chuckle as they grasped the letters. They nodded, a silent agreement to open at the same time. After a silent countdown, they ripped open the letters. A small disc fell out of both, clattering on the table. Izuku was slightly confused while Momo had a flash of recognition.
"Oh! Projection disk."
Her crush turned to her, still puzzled.
"My father made them. They're basically super compact disks for transporting data and messages. More convenient than standard paper letters."
Nodding in confirmation, they both grabbed their respective disk. With silent agreement via a nod from Izuku, Momo went first. She grasped the sides of the disk until a small clicking sound was heard. A holographic projection lit up in front of the teens showing the U.A. logo before showing off prerecorded footage. The next image surprised both of them.
"Booyah! I am here as a projection!"
The teens were surprised to see the Symbol of Peace on official U.A. material. More so of his attire of a yellow pinstripe suit on his muscular frame. They looked at each other silently questioning it before the projection continued.
"I know a young person like you has many questions about my appearance here! Allow me to answer! You are looking at U.A.'s newest staff member!"
The teens' shock was certainly at plus ultra levels.
'Only the best for U.A. I suppose.'
'All Might…as…a…teacher!'
'Happiest Hulk ever been.'
"HA HA HA! It will be an honor and a privilege to teach a new generation the foundations of heroism. What's that? Hurry it up? I know I'm just- I have to do how many of these?!"
The two friends chuckled at that No.1's joking antics. After a cut the hero shook his head and returned his attention to the camera addressing the students.
"Now, Young Yaoyorozu, allow me to congratulate you. You passed the written portion with flying colors, earning the top spot! Not just among the recommended students, but overall as well!"
Momo swelled with pride as Izuku gave a smile of congratulations.
"As for the practical portion, you placed third overall! Showing great skill and quirk technique. Once again, congratulations! Welcome to your hero academy, Young Yaoyorozu."
With a signature smile and an outstretched hand the video ended. Momo sighed in relief as she found a happy smile on her lips. Izuku gave one of his own.
"Congratulations Yaoyorozu!. I knew you'd get in!"
Momo saw an opportunity and took it.
In a moment, Izuku found himself enveloped in a hug from Momo. He found a blush on his cheeks, but didn't pull away. If anything he found himself liking it and returning it. Much to the chagrin of both, Momo pulled away and nervously fixed her hair with a blush of her own.
"Thank you."
They shared a smile before she gestured with her eyes to Izuku's own disk. With a deep breath the boy clicked his disk on. After a very similar beginning, it got to the part of Izuku's results.
"Now Young Midoriya, on the written portion you passed with flying colors! Earning the third place in the public exams and landed you in the top ten overall! Congratulations!"
Momo gave a friendly pat on the shoulder as they exchanged more relieved smiles. Both were happy to see their study sessions paid off.
"With that said the same could not be said with the practical portion!"
Izuku tensed as Momo grasped his shoulder. He was worried about this. As always his mind went to the worst. That U.A. would only see a rampaging beast and not a hero.
That is until a fanfare and confetti exploded around All Might.
"Once again, congratulations Young Midoriya! You passed with the top score of 1,962 points. Blowing this old dog's record out of the water!"
Izuku gave a bright smile, though he was a little confused.
'How many bots did you take down?'
'Hulk lost count…'
Momo returned his smile as All Might's projection continued, its hand outstretched.
"Young Midoriya, welcome to your hero academia."
With that the projection ended. Izuku leaned back still in disbelief.
"I…I got in."
'I'm good enough."
'Idiot. Always was.'
Momo smiled as she looked at her friend before nodding herself.
"You got in."
Izuku looked at her before, with\out thinking, taking her hand in his.
"We got in."
"Yes. WE got in."
They found themselves just staring into each other's eyes before nervousness took hold. Both had been waiting for these results and had been anticipating the aftermath. Both took a deep breath, closing their eyes in anticipation. With courage they opened them.
"Yaoyorozu-/Midoriya-"
They froze and then laughed at the mistake they both just made. Momo then remembered her mother's advice and squeezed her crush's hand.
"Apologies. You go first."
Izuku looked at her for reassurance and when he found it he took a deep breath. Where to start?
"Yaoyorozu, when we first met I have to admit, I was scared. No one talked to me before. So when a pretty girl offered me words of praise, it was like a light shone on me."
Momo blushed at his remark. He called her pretty, but she didn't dare interrupt as he continued.
"Then there was the incident with those clowns. Where you saw my less desirable half, but again, you saw a hero and not some ticking time bomb. You shone a light on me yet again. I guess that's when it started."
Momo looked deep into his eyes as his face got closer. With another deep breath he elaborated.
"I started to have feelings for you. You're kind, smart and beautiful. I didn't want to destroy the first friendship I ever had, but now Yao-"
Momo put a finger to his lips.
"Momo. Call me Momo."
Izuku blushed. Momo took his disbelief as a go ahead to explain what she wanted to say.
"Midoriya, I've felt the same way. At first all I saw was a cute boy doing the right thing. For no other reason other than it was right. I admired that."
It was now Izuku's turn to blush as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly at the praise.
"Then you saved me. While you say most would see a monster, all I saw was a brave and strong hero. I still do, All Might does and the heroes of U.A. see it too."
Grasping his hands in hers, grey eyes met green as Momo let her feelings be known.
"You are heroic, noble, brave and the kindest person I've ever met. I also didn't want to destroy my first friendship, but Mid-"
It was now Momo's turn to be interrupted as she found Izuku's palm on her cheek. Their eyes met as their faces came closer together. They could feel the other's breath.
"Y-you can call me Izuku, Momo."
"Okay Izuku."
They both gazed into each other's eyes and said the words they wanted to say for a while.
"Momo/Izuku, I love you."
With a final confirmation, they found their lips meeting in a kiss. Eyes closing and as they enjoyed the moment before pulling back. Momo found herself on his chest in an embrace. Izuku blushed as a nervous smile found its way on his face, matching his girlfriend's own happy smile.
"So are we…?"
"I'd be honored to be your girlfriend and to have you as a boyfriend."
'Girlfriend…I have a girlfriend.'
'Told ya…'
Izuku chuckled as they just leaned back and enjoyed the moment. No more awkwardness, just two lovers enjoying each other's company. It was then Izuku got a thought.
"D-Do you want to get s-something to eat?"
Momo looked up at him with a cheeky grin.
"Asking me out already?"
"I-I mean it's fine if you don't-"
She silenced him with another kiss before pulling back. Their hands still intertwined as they held hands and smiled.
"I'd love to. Just let me tell my parents and then we can go."
"Sure."
The two teens smiled. With high spirits they both began to plan what was essentially their first date. Both could barely contain their excitement.
The couple held hands as they made their way down the sidewalk. Both happy with the other's presence beside them, comfortable light blushes on their faces. They had just eaten their first dinner together, a decent meal at the second best katsudon place Izuku knew. Now they were just out enjoying the evening. Though Izuku did have a destination in mind, one that Momo was starting to notice. She said nothing however and was just content to see what her boyfriend (internal squee) had planned.
Eventually they arrived and Momo's eyes went bright with recognition. They were on the boardwalk of Dagobah beach with the clear night sky adorned with twinkling stars. The wind blew lightly across the quiet sands. Momo was in awe and turned to her boyfriend who was sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
"Figured you'd want to see what the Hulk and I were working towards."
"It's amazing Izuku."
She leaned and put her head on his shoulder, both enjoying the beautiful night air. It was then when Izuku had a flash of yellow hair paired with green. Both looked so familiar. With wide eyes he waved to the people he recognized.
"Hey! Al-Mr.Yagi!"
The skeletal secretary turned and lit up at the boy's presence. He waved him over as the young couple made their way down to him. It was then they noticed the other adult standing next to him, a woman with a light blush on her cheeks. Izuku was stunned.
"Mom?"
Inko blushed as she looked at her son. It was then both couples noticed the other's hands were interlocking. After a moment of embarrassed processing, Inko caught her son in a bear hug with a comical amount of tears from her eyes. Momo and All Might let out a light chuckle at the mother and son.
"My baby's growing up!"
Izuku blushed before looking at All Might with a smile.
"So you and my mom?"
Wiping her eyes, Inko looked to the secretary in question. With a blush he explained.
"Well it started after you finished your training here. I asked if she wanted to keep seeing me. So we got coffee and things just clicked. I'm sor-"
Izuku gave his mother another hug and his mentor a smile.
"It's okay. Like I told her I'm fine with it. She deserves someone who could make you happy."
'All Might's dating my mom! So cool! And she likes him back!'
'Hulk approve. Need stronger father.'
The mother and son shared another hug before turning back to their respective partners. All Might looked at them with a proud expression.
"Allow me to extend my congratulations as well. Both on you two finally getting together and for your acceptance into U.A."
"Were we that obvious?'
After their shared thought they bowed in thanks as Inko found fresh tears of happiness to shed before she hugged both of them this time. All Might let out a chuckle before his expression grew serious.
"Are you both ready for the challenge?"
With confidence the two young heroes looked at the skeletal man, a fire in their eyes.
"Yes!/Absolutely!"
Momo then looked up in wonder and excitement.
"To think we'll be taught by All Might!"
She then looked at both Yagi and her boyfriend quizzically.
"Did you two know he was going to be teaching?"
"He wanted it to be a surprise, so he swore me to secrecy. However you both should know that he did not grade either your scores. So there was no favoritism, you both earned your spots fair a square," Yagi explained.
"Will you be there too, Mr. Yagi?"
"Well someone has to handle the paperwork."
Both young heroes felt validated. Relief washed over them with knowledge that their training was worth it. Momo took his hand in hers as they looked on the beach. A symbol of Izuku's work to control his beast within and his effort to provide for his community. With confident smiles and supportive looks the young hero couple looked out. Their gazes locked and path set to the future.
Hulk sat on Izuku's bed in the mental world, the swirling greens of his subconscious surrounded the room in an eerie calm. The green goliath had also felt the validation. Soon the world would see Hulk as a hero, just like All Might. Him and puny Midoriya would show them how a monster could be a hero.
They would protect everyone.
Momo.
Mom.
"Hulk protect everyone…"
A deeper part of his mind agreed. A thought laid long dormant.
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