DETERMINATION

The first time Shinso Hitoshi officially met Midoriya Izuku, they were partnered up for an activity in Modern Literature. Midoriya Izuku is a quiet, reserved guy who you would often see alone despite all of their curious classmates that would approach him. To Hitoshi, Midoriya is a peculiar guy. Being in the General Education Department could mean that the green-haired teen also tried to apply for the Heroics Department. If he did, it was not really a surprise that the guy didn't get into the Hero Course because of his disability. Even they who have a quirk couldn't get in, how could a quirkless guy even compete?

But then again, he didn't seem any different than the rest of them. It was astonishing how easy Midoriya could easily keep up with the rest of the class during Physical Education. Granted that it wasn't much compared to the Heroics Course, but to think a quirkless guy can keep up in an all-out subject...

What Hitoshi didn't expect was that Midoriya Izuku is an exercise freak. But then again, it was to be expected. The green-haired teen was always seen exercising even in classes and lunchbreak. Aside from his usual exercises in Physical Education, Midoriya would always be seen exercising his hand grip during academic classes. It would've been virtually impossible to keep up in an all-out subject that allows every student to showcase their strengths and quirks unless one worked for it. And he did. Midoriya Izuku worked for it and thus, he was able to achieve it. And now, a new question eats at Shinso's mind.

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How the hell didn't Midoriya get into the Heroics Course?

Every time he came up with a possible answer to that question, his speculations would turn darker. He couldn't help but think that Midoriya was undermined or was judged wrong.

He always thought that the Heroics Department was judged by strength, usefulness, and individual intelligence. And Midoriya has all of those. None of them in the General Education Department would question Midoriya Izuku's physical strength. The guy could overpower half of the students in their class alone. Midoriya is also unarguably intelligent. He wasn't always all perfect scores but they were near that. If usefulness is the question... It was undeniable that Midoriya isn't useless. The guy could be flexible in any situation; adapting faster than any of them could comprehend.

Midoriya Izuku had marked all the right boxes but he still wasn't able to get in. Why?

The more Hitoshi ponders through the question, the more he didn't like the answer.

"Shinso-san?"

Hitoshi jerked as he was startled from his thoughts. Turning to his caller, electric green eyes looked back at him in veiled worry.

"Just call me by my first name" He finally said as he turned once again to their path. It was a free period and they were on their way to the library to do their paired assignment in English.

"Hitoshi-san then," Midoriya amended. "How proficient are you in English? I noticed that your performance in class is not half bad, but how good are you?"

"Not much" He replied. "I've made it through class because Present Mic is an excellent teacher. I'd definitely have problems with this activity because we're tasked to review a book I've never read before." He glanced back at his companion in curiosity. "How about you? You're always the highest scorer in English."

"My mentor had always assigned books for me to study in both English and Japanese, so I'm quite good at it" Midoriya admitted. "I'm not perfect at it though. Some terms and correct tenses are just confusing to me." The green-haired teen scratched his head in embarrassment. "And I only learn literature when it's been assigned in school, so I have no idea about the book either. Chi-sensei only gave me science, technological, and law assignments."

"Your mentor really assigns those?" He asked in astonishment. "Must be tough on you."

"Since I'm quirkless, many things had been denied from me. Chi-sensei wants me to catch up with everyone and more." Midoriya let out a tired sigh. "I just wish she explains everything before quizzing me."

Hitoshi winced in sympathy. Before he could tell the other anything else, a blond lanky man in oversized clothing appeared by the corner, calling Midoriya's attention.

"May I borrow a few minutes from your time, young Midoriya?" the other asked, his sunken eyes bore a hole in Hitoshi's direction.

"Sure, sensei...?" Midoriya replied with a tinge of uncertainty. But nonetheless, the green-haired teen turned towards him. "I'll just meet you at the library after this."

Nodding, Hitoshi continued walking towards the library. Only glancing back to check on the two, only to see them walking back the way they came from.

~

The door closed behind them and Toshinori gestured at the couch for the young teen to sit on.

"What is it, All Might?" young Midoriya asked in worry. "Is there something wrong?"

But instead of answering immediately, Toshinori pulled out a folder from within his oversized blazer.

"This is your new schedule for the next two weeks" He finally said. "Your sensei contacted me for your class schedule, current and possible future class activities, and as well as your current physical condition."

"Chizuru-sensei's back?!" The young teen launched himself towards the outstretched folder and began mumbling opinions.

"Not quite." Toshinori shook his head in remorse. "You're going to be supervised by myself. I'm expecting to see you after school by the Takoba Beach Park."

Though stumped at the news that the female trainer wouldn't be there, Midoriya's head snapped up immediately at the last bit of information. "The junkyard?"

He nodded in confirmation. "Make sure to bring your workout clothes"

Toshinori could only offer his sympathy at the kid as the green-haired teen paled in realization. He also kept the fact secret that it was him who had suggested the activity in the first place.

~

Izuku had never thought that cleaning the junkyard could ever be challenging.... until now. The simple task of moving the trash to the truck had tested his balance, strength, analytic mind, efficiency, and patience. It doesn't help that All Might was distracting him by telling trivial things from a black book he's reading and then questioning him about the thing he had said a few minutes ago.

"It is really necessary to test my memory in this situation?" Izuku finally asked in exasperation after the 13th question.

All Might in his emancipated form, shrugged his shoulders. Not bothering to look up from his black book. "I'm just doing what your mentor instructed me to do"

"Do you know where she is right now?" Izuku asked hopefully. He was on a short break so he approached the Pro-Hero perched on a fridge.

All Might finally looked up from his book to stare at him. "Last I heard, she was moving into a new apartment" Seeing the expectant look from the teen, he sighed. "I don't know when she'll show up but I do know that she'll come around when she can."

~

It was almost past 9PM when Toshinori finally told the kid to do his stretches and cool down. Right on time and according to the schedule. Even though he knew the importance of following the schedule to the T, he couldn't help but sigh in exasperation at the little points Chizuru noted down for him to observe and follow. This task had cost him more time, effort, and concentration than his normal hero duties. He wasn't even this much attentive when teaching Foundational Hero Studies. Toshinori could feel the drain in his energy even as he waved the young teen goodbye. Sighing he steered himself towards a certain direction, a single destination in mind.

~

Toshinori let out an exhausted groan after he finished retelling his friend about his day. To his annoyance, Naomasa had looked at him the whole time in growing amusement. And to finish it off, the police detective laughed at his predicament.

"Well..." The other man finally said as he gestured at a newly added table in the office. "At least we both know that they're serious in this."

Toshinori stared at it a bit more, studying the stacks of folders and papers on top of it. "Since when did you get a roommate?"

"It's Chizuru's" Tsukauchi Naomasa clarified. "Ever since her stunt at UA, we were ordered to monitor her. Can't really keep her in an office but still, when she needs something, she knows that she could come in my office anytime."

"What is she investigating?" He asked in curiosity.

"The League of Villains" His friend answered truthfully. Then his voice firmed, "Chi-chan believes that the kid would be immediately targeted once he gets in to Hero Course, so she's even more determined to put them behind bars as soon as possible."

The confidence and surety that Midoriya Izuku would get in to the Hero Course didn't escape his attention. It made him envy the kid. And it also made him question possibility... Would he still be a Hero today if ever his mentor, Shimura Nana, didn't give him One For All? If she had merely guided him like Abe Chizuru is doing to Midoriya, would he still be in his position today?

He could only sigh in response to his inner questions. They are questions that he will never have an answer to unless he traveled back in time.

~

When Izuku arrived home, he didn't expect to still have a visitor over. I mean, it's twenty past ten! Who would stay over that long in another person's house!

"I'm home!" He called out uncertainly.

In response, his mother enthusiastically called him over to the kitchen where she and the visitor are currently in. Nervously, he tiptoed towards them... only to recognize the other person's voice. And with great vigor, he rushed in with a shout:

"SENSEI!"

Chizuru-sensei, in response, had only grinned at him cheekily.

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"Missed me, kid?"