Let Me Start Over [My Hero Academia/Buko No Hero Academia]

Chapter II - A Secret Admirer? Far From It

[One Week Later]

At the schoolyard, (Y/n) and Midoriya eat their lunches together, since there was no one else present. It was for a personal request of (Y/n)'s, because right after the two ate, they would ask Midoriya for a few tips on the recent topic that they were covering for Algebra. To their surprise, he was extremely patient, despite their struggles in processing this new type of information, like it was some sort of code to them that they couldn't decipher.

For, possibly the hundredth time, Midoriya explains to (Y/n). "You have to factor out these terms first, before solving the equation altogether. By factoring those numbers, it makes it easier in finding the "x." In most equations, there simply isn't just one answer you'll end up with." (Y/n) could feel a headache coming on. "That's why, you'll have to test out those answers in the end by substituting it in every "x." If both ends of the original equation equal the same number, that's the definite answer. If not, then it's no longer a possible answer." His gaze was kept on the worksheet the entire time, not noticing how troubling his words made for his friend.

(Y/n) puts their hands on their head, trying to keep it together. "I still have no idea what point you're trying to make, Midoriya. You're making it sound so easy, yet so complicated." They don't fail in keeping that smile of theirs.

Midoriya chuckles sheepishly, not having the heart to make another attempt. Instead, he starts off with what (Y/n) knows, and intend on building up on that knowledge they have initially. "Okay, let's start from scratch then. You know what a term is, right?"

"Yeah." (Y/n) scratches the top of their head, their eyes returning to the worksheet. "They're the numbers, right?"

"Yes." Midoriya nods in confirmation. "They're the numbers that make up the equation." He points to the terms that had the variable "x" next to them. "Notice how some of them have an "x" next to them. That "x" is known as a variable, which is what we're trying to figure out." He checks in on his friend's understanding. "Follow?"

"Yeah." (Y/n) doesn't get their hopes up in figuring out this complicated concept of mathematics.

Midoriya smiles, and continues his explanation. "But while some numbers have a variable next to them, some don't. You can never combine two different terms. You can only do that with like terms."

"So only the numbers with the "x" can only be combined with the numbers that have an "x" as well? And it applies with the numbers that don't have the "x" too?" (Y/n) rephrases Midoriya's words.

"Exactly!" Midoriya's smile widens, motivating him to keep going. "Sometimes, some terms can be sorted into a parentheses, while some of the like terms are outside." He points to the problem that he's helping (Y/n) solve. "You can't just get rid of the parentheses that easily. Most of the time, it will be a trinomial, or the quadratical expression inside it." He looks back at (Y/n). "Do you know what they are?"

"No..." (Y/n) answers honestly.

"A trinomial is an expression with three terms. And a quadratical is an expression with four terms." Midoriya adds.

(Y/n) hits a fist weakly on their free hand. "I see! It says it in the name itself! "Tri" meaning three, and "quad" meaning four!"

"That's right!" Midoriya praises (Y/n).

The green haired boy picks up on where he paused the explanation. "When it's a quadratical, it'll most likely be easy for you to factor. But when it's a trinomial, you have to do the work in factoring it." He pokes the end of his pencil on the equation. "So, since we have a trinomial in the parenthesis, we have to do tedious work in factoring it." He anticipates that (Y/n) will understand what to do from there. "Do you know how to factor?"