BRONTIDE

Can I become a hero too?

"See that,mom?"

"There's always a smile on his face,no matter how bad things get...Even when things seem impossible he never gives up.." I faced my teary-eyed mom and pointed to my inspiration,my idol,my dream, All Might,on my computer screen.My voice falters and tears threaten to spill as I say,

"Do you think...I can be a hero too?"

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MIDORIYA'S POV

For as long as I can remember,I have always looked up to All might,the greatest hero of all time.He is my inspiration and my idol. Just like him,I want to save people with a smile on my face,no matter how hard things are. However,when I was four, I learned that I had a rare condition-that I was born without any quirk,or in simpler words,powers. My beloved friend,Katsuki Bakugo,to whom I refer to as "Kacchan", grew distant and by now,when we are in middle school, him and a couple of other kids bully me on a regular basis. Kachan makes fun of me and calls me "quirkless","nerd" and "deku" which means "loser".

Despite all of that,I have not yet given up my dream of becoming a hero.

"Ooooh? Isn't that the quirkless kid who dreams of becoming a hero?"

"He'll never be a hero"

"GET OUT OF MY WAY,DAMNED NERD!"Bakugo,as usual, yelled at the top of his lungs.

I drop my head down and grip my yellow backpack strap tightly.Trying to avoid stares, I scurry into my classroom and bury my face in my notebook to review my hero analysis notebook number 13. Well...it could be worse,I guess.

Since junior high was coming to an end, our teacher asked us to select our preferred highschools.Of course, I opted for U.A highschool which is the hardest,yet the best hero course and has a VERY low passing rate. I know I'm quirkless but it's still worth a try,right?

Kacchan was causing a ruckus, as usual.Today he was giving his egotistical speeches about how he's the only one capable of getting into U.A and all of us are just 'extras' when our professor brought up the topic of 'highschool applications'.

Our teacher states,"Oh yeah..Izuku,you're applying to UA highschool too, right?"

I froze.My class was looking at me in disbelief and Kacchan seems furious.Suddenly, everyone broke into laughter and they start making fun of my "hopeless dreams".

Defending myself,I say,'Well actually they got rid of the rule that requires you to have a quirk when you apply-"

*Thud*

Before I knew it,Kacchan had pushed me down and is standing on top of me with a smug and furious look on his face.

"LISTEN UP,DEKU!YOU'RE EVEN WORSE THAN ALL OF THESE DAMNED REJECTS,YOU QUIRKLESS WANNABE!" He clenched his fist and continued,"YOU REALLY THINK THEY'D ACCEPT YOU WHEN THEY'LL HAVE SOMEONE LIKE ME?!"

I hold up my hands defensively and attempt to explain myself desperately," N-NO WAIT! You've got it all wrong!!I promise I'm not trying to compete against you or anything! Y-you've gotta believe me!"

Backing away from Kacchan on all of my fours,I try to escape him but fail to do so since I've been sandwiched between him and the wall.

"It's just that...I've wanted to be a hero ever since I was a kid.I-I may not have a quirk but it doesn't hurt to try,right?"

Bakugo retorts,"YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO HANG OUT WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST!! YOU'D DIE IN THE EXAMS! DEFENSELESS IZUKU! YOU WANNA EMBARRASS US MORE???!!"

Saying that he snatches my "Hero analysis for the future notebook no.13" which is very precious to me,and chars it with his explosive quirk.After that,he flings my notebook out of the window.I scramble to my feet and attempt grab it but I fail miserably.

Miserable,Bakugo places a hand on my shoulder and arrogantly grins at me.I stare back at him,quivering in fright.

"Do us a favor.Don't even think of applying.Or else."

 Luckily,my classes ended soon and I started packing my backpack,ignoring all the rude remarks directed at me.Today was painful.

Do I really not have a chance at being a hero? Is there no way I can save people? Why is this happening to me?

.Just when I am about to leave,Bakugo decides to land one last destructive blow at me,

With his back to me,he says,

"Now if you really want to be a hero that badly,there might be another way.Just pray you'd be born with a quirk in your next life.While you're at it,take a swan dive off the roof of a building."