When You Believe

Chapter 3

To say Momo was surprised to find out why this boy was here was quite the shock to her. Especially considering what she had just been thinking about. She couldn't help but admire his drive to better himself, as well as do something so selfless for the community at large.

"That is quite impressive, Midoriya," she stated, once he finished his explanation. "Your exercise regimen and this most selfless act of cleaning a once sparkling beach. It tells me that you intend to become a Hero, yes?" She smiled as Izuku shyly rubbed the back of his head and averted his eyes from her.

"Y-Yes," he responded. He silently cursed himself for stuttering. He thought he was doing better ever since he had left Aldera, and made quick friends with Mina and Kirishima. Of course, there was a rather beautiful girl in front of him. He looked back to Momo to see her blushing face. Uh oh. "I was muttering, wasn't I?" She seemed to collect herself quickly from what she had heard.

"You were," she smiled. "And I'm flattered you find me beautiful. But I am keeping you from your training. Though I am curious. Do you intend to apply to U.A.? And, what, if I may be so bold to ask, is your Quirk?" At first, Izuku was smiling, and nodded to the question in regards to U.A. However, when asked about his Quirk, he became slightly crestfallen.

Even to this day, that question was always the hardest for Izuku. He knew all too well how most of society viewed the Quirkless. He had been extremely lucky that his new school, and his new best friends Mina and Kirishima, had been welcoming and accepting of his Quirkless status. They saw Izuku, not a worthless Deku. Again, he braced himself, and looked up to Momo, who he now saw had tears starting to form in her eyes. He had been muttering...again.

"You should never think of yourself as worthless," she said, a fire to her eyes. "Your friends see it. And anyone who doesn't see the sheer determination, grit, and drive you have to be a Hero is blinded by their own hubris, and some false idea that only those with the best Quirks can be Heroes. I know we just met, but from what I've seen, Quirk or not, you'll be a great Hero!" Her impromptu speech had caused Izuku's heart to clench, and tears to fall down his face.

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu," he finally choked out. "Up until a few months ago, I didn't have people who believed in me. But I met someone, who told me I could be a Hero without a Quirk, as long as I worked hard and trained." He didn't tell her that someone was All Might. "And then, my life started to turn around. I met more people who believed in me, and are helping me better myself and helping me train."

"Please, call me Momo," she said. "Again, I know we only just met, but you are definitely someone I would like to become friends with. Are your other friends coming today? I know you said they train with you."

"O-Okay, M-Momo," Izuku responded, slightly flustered to be using a girl's first name. Mina insisted he use her first name, but that was more based on the fact she wasn't that big on tradition, and preferred familiarity. "As for my other friends, this is our solo day. We kind of do our own training, giving the differences in styles, and, well, Quirks (or lack thereof)." Momo nodded at the information. "If you'd like, you can call me Izuku." Momo smiled.

"I would like that very much...Izuku," she replied. "Tell me, outside of strength training, what else do you do? Any fighting styles or weapon's training you've taken up?" By this point, they had begun to walk down towards the beach, speaking as they went.

"I've taken up Aikido," Izuku began. "I figure I can use my enemies own moves against them. Mina is also working with me on Capoiera, which I think I've gotten the hang of. I have considered weapon's training, though haven't really found anywhere good to learn." Momo thought on this for a moment.

"Perhaps, I could help with that," she offered. Izuku looked at her curiously. "I have private instructors in various weapons, mostly those for close combat." Izuku considered her offer.

"I wouldn't want to impose..." he started, before Momo cut him off.

"Not at all," she said. "In fact, I think it would not only be a good opportunity for you to learn weapon's training, but it would also allow me someone to train with aside from the trainers, as well as give us the chance to hang out...if I'm not being too forward." Izuku considered everything before he gave her a bright smile.

"That would be wonderful!" he said, before reigning himself in a little. "We can come up with a schedule as well, so I can keep up with my other training. And I'm sure we can make time to just hang out, and you can meet my other friends. I think you'd like them." Momo couldn't help but smile at the boy's energy. It was rather endearing, and she really looked forward to getting to know Izuku better.

"Would it be against your schedule to start today?" Momo asked. "I have to meet with my trainers in a few hours time. I was trying to enjoy a nice walk. It helps me clear my mind sometimes." Izuku thought on this, looking towards the beach. In the past couple of months, he had made decent progress. He knew he'd be done well before UA's Entrance Exam, which was still almost a year away. He nodded as he looked back at Momo.

"I should be able to do that," he replied, confidently. This lifted Momo's spirits up even more.

"Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I will just have to call my trainers, as well as my parents, to let them know I shall have a friend joining my weapon's training." As she went about making her calls, Izuku thought on how much better things were for him now that he had people that believed in him. He realized that not everyone in the world was like Kacch-Bakugo and the others at Aldera Junior High. He knew that, yes, he would still probably meet those kinds of people, but, he was gaining a great support system, and he knew he would never feel like a useless Deku again.

"Everything is all set," the voice of Momo brought him out of his thoughts. "Would you care to grab a light lunch before we head that way?" Izuku smiled.

"That'd be great."