Todoroki is a teenager who is mute and deaf from his abusive relationship with his father while the mother is never around. His father denies to buy professional services for his hearing and speech, so he is required to perform ASL to speak to others. His father never has attempted to memorize ASL so he could understand what todoroki needed, leaving todoroki to become independent for him to get his own things. Iida went to hero conventions with todoroki and his father because of his famous brother, Ingenium. He always tried to start conversations with todoroki but todoroki never did hear him. Ingenium had to sit him down and tell him about todoroki's conditions. Iida then decided to start studying ASL and putting ahead to buy todoroki a high tech functioning hearing aid for todoroki to use. Iida and Todoroki don't know yet that they are both enrolled in 1-A UA Hero Course. This is the beginning of their friendship and relationship.