Retribution

The Past? What about it? (Chapter 1)

Midoriya's POV:

Quirkless.

It's funny how something that was once used as a state of the body can quickly become an insult.

When did it even go so wrong? Once, a hundred years ago, those with quirks were considered evil. As they grew in numbers, from 10% of the population to 35%, they became more of a curse in the eyes of the powerless.

How did it flip so easily? How did being quirkless become the new curse? How did I become a curse?

"You're so special, 'Zuku. They can't see it, but you are far from useless!"

You're wrong Rin. You and Mom could never understand how it feels to live as a curse.

***

"Hey, what do you think about seeing that new movie in theaters tomorrow?"

I look at the soft voice beside me, slowing my pace. His gold eyes look back at me, his navy blue hair ruffling in the slight breeze. He grins at seeing me look back at him.

"Um... that sounds nice, I guess. Though I don't have anyone to go with, my mom doesn't like horror movies," I reply quietly, turning my gaze back to the sidewalk in front of me.

He sighs, "Just as ever, 'Zuku, you're too dense to realize that I'm trying to ask you out."

My cheeks redden. It had only been a couple of weeks since we officially started dating, and it's safe to say that I'm still not very used to it. I start pulling at a strand of my messy green hair.

"Sorry, I'm still not used to being included in things." A sad smile plays on my lips.

It's true, though. The last time someone invited me to hang out, it ended up just being a prank. I had to call my mom during her shift at the hotel, crying and begging her to pick me up from the middle of nowhere because it was raining. That was only a month ago. The kids at school still laugh about it. I don't blame them, it was stupid of me to think they'd actually wanted me to hang out with them.

The boy walking next to me stops and takes my cheeks in his hands, light brown skin connecting with my own. He turns my head towards him and looks into my eyes intently.

"Hey, don't worry over those asshats. They don't deserve your empathy, no one at that damn school does," he consoles me. He lightly rubs his thumbs over my freckles before letting go of my flushed face and grabbing my hand.

We resume our walk and soon reach the front gates of the school. Not long after we walk through the front door, we hear our grumpy history teacher's voice.

"Itoshiki Rin, Midoriya Izuku, no PDA in the halls!!" Yamaguchi-Sensei bellowed from down the hallway, gesturing vaguely to our connected hands. He turns his attention to another couple, a second-year girl and boy that were kissing near a group of lockers. "Same to the two of you! Junior high students shouldn't be in romantic relationships, not until you get to high school!"

Rin and I walk to my locker. "Don't let Bakugo or any of his friends give you any crap, okay? Just because you used to be friends doesn't mean they can just push you around."

I look up from my books to Rin, the truth on the tip of my tongue.

Of course, they can, I'm quirkless

I have no respect in this school

People can do what they want with me, I can't fight back and they know it

I'm useless in their eyes

I can't do anything right.

I let the dark thoughts spiral in my mind but plaster a small smile on my face and keep my eyes clear.