Diverting the plot

2 - Confidence Boost

You and Aoyama have been friends for a year now.

You're polar opposites.

You're a calm quiet kid, very mature for her age, already has her goals set and very realistic. You often come off as cold and disinterested in anything and everything that doesn't regard your parents of Yuga.

He's very lively, puts himself at the center of the attention, often prideful. While he doesn't show it much to others, you know he has a good heart. His compassionate side comes out rarely, yet it still manages to make your heart ache in ways you didn't know it could.

There's one particular time that warms your heart more than any.

.

"Aoyama-san, could I ask you a question?" You asked bluntly. You two were just playing heroes in the school garden, waiting for the other kids playing the villain part to hide.

"Yes?" He blurts out, eyes fixed on watching the other kids to try finding their hiding spot.

"You said you want to be a hero." You say. He turns to look at you, ready to blur out something along the lines of "Of course, i'll be the best hero there is with my quirk" but you precede him.

"In which school do you want to go, Aoyama-san?" He blinks, puzzled. The answer for him is quite simple, he sees no reason why you would ask such a thing.

"To UA, the best hero school there is. I'll pass for sure." He says, confused. He doesn't understand where you're trying to get at. You stare at him dead in the eye, even more serious than your usual you. Your voice comes out as a quiet whisper.

"If i told you I too wish to try for UA..."

"... Do you think I'll pass too?"

A second of silence passes. He's analyzing you, staring right in your eyes. You both forget about the hero game, time stops in a clear anime scene fashion.

"Are you asking me this because you don't think you'll enter UA with your quirk?" He asks with a mumble, his eyes full of worry. There's an unsaid feeling of understanding between you two.

"Maybe" You say, shrugging your shoulders and acting indifferent.

"I think you will. You have the heart of a hero. That's more important than your quirk."

Those words ring in your ears on repeat, eyes widening as you can barely mumble out a thank you at the nicest compliment you've ever received.

.

The heart of a hero.

You know all too well why he said that.

Even being this young, he's already aware of his situation too well, something a kid like him shouldn't know. You wonder just how much his parents influenced him on this.

He already believes he's not worthy of being a hero. His insecurity, although shown very subdolly, is already there. A seed planted by All for One made of fear and doubts that's going to grow and grow as time goes on until it bursts.

You want to slap that man in the face without any bad consequences so bad.

You can't help but feel guilty about Aoyama's hidden fear. It's not your fault, yet you know you're the only one that can do something about it. You're the only one that knows.

For now, you can only limit yourself to spend as much time with him as possible, something you've been doing for the past year and that you will likely do for most of your life unless you get a few new friends. You doubt it.