The week following the UA entrance exam crawled by with agonizing slowness. Each day seemed to stretch longer than the last as students across Japan anxiously awaited their results, refreshing inboxes and jumping at every notification. For Izuku, however, that first afternoon carried a different kind of anticipation, one that had nothing to do with acceptance letters or rankings.
The smoothie shop Mina led him to was a small, colorful establishment tucked between a quiet bookstore and an over-the-top hero merchandise shop. String lights hung from the awning, twinkling softly in the late afternoon sun, and the windows were plastered with bright tropical designs that felt wildly out of place in the middle of the city. The bell above the door chimed cheerfully as they stepped inside, and the rush of cool air was a welcome relief after the lingering heat and exhaustion of the exam.
"I come here all the time!" Mina chirped, practically bouncing toward the counter. "They make the best smoothies in the city, and the owner has this really cool crystallization quirk that makes these amazing ice sculptures for the displays!"
Izuku followed at a more measured pace, still feeling the aftereffects of pushing his antimatter quirk so hard. His glands were cooling down, leaving a faint, shifting purple glow beneath his skin that caught the shop's lighting in strange, almost cosmic ways. A few customers did double-takes, whispering under their breath, but for once, Izuku did not shrink under the attention. If anything, it felt... nice not to care.
The menu board above the counter was packed with options, each smoothie sporting a dramatic, hero-themed name and an equally dramatic list of ingredients.
"The All Might Mango-Pineapple Power-Up is really good," Mina said, noticing his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to read everything at once. "It's got this little kick of citrus that makes it perfect after quirk training."
Izuku smiled, something warm blooming in his chest at her enthusiasm. "Mango-pineapple it is then," he said, the soft glow in his veins pulsing faintly as Mina pumped her fist in victory.
"One All Might special and one Midnight Berry Blast!" she announced, already pulling out her wallet before he could even think to object.
He reached for his own out of habit, but she shot him a look and shook her head. "Nuh-uh," she said firmly. "You saved, like, half our exam group from that zero-pointer. This one's on me, hot stuff!"
The nickname made Izuku's expression flicker. Embarrassment flashed across his face before he could stop it, his shoulders tensing briefly before he forced himself to relax. Despite himself, a small, genuine grin tugged at his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck, green eyes flicking back to Mina with a mix of bashfulness and growing confidence.
"Again with that nickname, huh?" he said, trying and failing to sound completely casual. There was a teasing edge to his voice now, something that had not been there a week ago. He tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "If I did not know any better," he added, grin widening just a bit, "I'd think you were into me."
For a heartbeat, Mina froze.
Then her face lit up in a vivid, unmistakable pink that somehow managed to deepen her already pink skin. The color spread from her cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears. "W-what?!" she sputtered, waving her hands like she could physically shoo the words away. "Don't get the wrong idea, Izuku!"
She turned sharply and gave his shoulder a light, flustered punch, pointedly refusing to look at him. "Just just shut it, okay?!"
Izuku blinked, clearly caught off guard by just how rattled she was. The grin on his face softened into something warmer, more amused than smug. A quiet laugh slipped out before he could stop it, and he turned his head away, his own cheeks faintly dusted pink.
"Okay, okay," he said, lifting his hands in surrender. The smile, however, stubbornly refused to leave his face.
While they waited for their drinks, Mina launched into an animated recap of the exam, reenacting moments with wild gestures and exaggerated sound effects. She described how incredible his quirk had looked when he carved a perfect cylinder straight through the massive robot, her eyes shining like she was reliving it all over again. It was clear she had already moved on from his teasing, leaving Izuku quietly amused.
Their smoothies arrived in tall glasses slick with condensation. Izuku's was a warm sunset gradient of orange and yellow, topped with a tiny decorative pineapple flower that made him pause for half a second before picking it up. The first sip was exactly as Mina had promised, sweet without being overwhelming, with a bright citrus kick that seemed to wake every tired muscle in his body. He sighed softly and leaned back in the booth, tension finally draining from his shoulders.
"So," Mina said after a moment, settling into her seat across from him, "think we'll end up in the same class?"
The question sounded casual, but Izuku caught the way her voice softened just a little. He found himself hoping the answer would be yes. There was something refreshing about Mina's presence. She had not known him as quirkless, had not seen him at his lowest. To her, he was just Izuku, the boy with glowing veins, a cosmic antimatter quirk, and a tendency to help others without thinking twice.
"Hope so," he replied honestly, watching droplets of condensation slide down his glass. "It'd be nice to start UA already knowing someone who doesn't explode everything they touch."
Mina burst out laughing, instantly catching the reference. "Oh my god, explosion boy. Is he always that intense?"
"Kacchan?" Izuku said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Actually, he's calmed down a lot since..." He gestured vaguely toward his faintly glowing veins. "Let's just say having your worldview completely shattered by someone you used to bully tends to change your perspective."
Mina hummed, clearly intrigued. "Huh. That's kind of poetic, actually."
Izuku snorted softly, taking another sip of his smoothie.
"So..." Mina stirred her Midnight Berry Blast with her straw, creating a small whirlpool of purple and blue. "What was it like? When your quirk first awakened?" Her yellow and black eyes held genuine curiosity, though she quickly added, "I mean, if you don't mind talking about it!"
Izuku's veins pulsed softly as he considered the question. He hadn't really discussed that day with anyone besides his mother and the doctors. "It was... intense," he said finally, watching the condensation trail down his glass. "I was being attacked by a villain - the Sludge Villain, if you saw the news reports. He was trying to... possess my body, I guess. Take it over."
Mina's eyes widened. "That was you? I remember seeing something about that incident, but the details were really vague."
"Yeah," Izuku nodded, his purple eyes taking on a distant look. "I was dying. The villain was suffocating me, and something just... snapped. Like a dam breaking inside me. Suddenly there was all this power, this energy I'd never felt before. My veins started glowing, and..." He held up his palm, showing her the perfectly circular hole that ran straight through it. "My body changed. The antimatter started flowing, and it just... tore the villain apart from the inside."
"That sounds terrifying," Mina said softly, unconsciously reaching across the table to touch his hand. Her fingers traced the edge of the hole in his palm, surprisingly gentle for someone who could produce acid. "But also kind of amazing. Like your body knew exactly what it needed to do to save you."
Izuku's glowing irises flashed brighter briefly at her touch, but he didn't pull away. "Yeah, it was both. The doctors said my quirk rewrote my DNA in that moment. Changed what I was on a fundamental level." He gave a small, wry smile. "Guess nearly dying was what it took to wake it up."
"Well," Mina said, pulling her hand back but maintaining her bright smile, "I'm glad it did. Not the nearly dying part! But... you know what I mean. You seem like you were always meant to be a hero, quirk or no quirk."
The sincerity in her voice made Izuku's chest tighten unexpectedly. Most people focused on how powerful his quirk was, how destructive or impressive. But Mina... she saw past that, somehow.
"Thanks," he said quietly, meeting her gaze. "That... means a lot, actually."
A comfortable silence fell between them as they finished their smoothies, broken only by the gentle hum of the shop's air conditioning and distant conversation from other customers. The afternoon sun had begun to dip, casting long shadows through the shop's tropical-themed windows and making Izuku's glowing veins stand out even more prominently against his skin.
"We should do this again," Mina said suddenly, her voice carrying a hint of hopeful nervousness. "You know, once we get our acceptance letters. Because we're definitely both getting in!"
Izuku felt a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah," he agreed, standing as they prepared to leave. "I'd like that." He paused, then added with a touch of his earlier teasing, "It's a date then?"
The way Mina's face flushed pink again, somehow darker than her natural skin tone, was absolutely worth the punch she landed on his arm. "You're terrible!" she exclaimed, but she was laughing, and when they stepped out into the evening air, she didn't protest when he offered to walk her to her train station.
The walk to the train station was filled with comfortable conversation, the setting sun casting long shadows that made Izuku's glowing veins seem even more ethereal. Street lights began flickering to life one by one, their gentle illumination mixing with the purple light emanating from beneath his skin.
"You know," Mina said thoughtfully, her hands clasped behind her back as they walked, "your quirk is probably the prettiest destructive quirk I've ever seen. It's like... carrying galaxies under your skin."
Izuku glanced down at his arms, watching the antimatter flow through his veins like liquid starlight. "Prettier than your acid?" he asked with a small smirk.
"Hey, my acid is gorgeous, thank you very much!" Mina protested, creating a small shower of sparkles from her fingertips to prove her point. "But yeah... even prettier than my acid."
They reached the station steps just as the evening rush was beginning to thin out. Mina turned to face him, rocking slightly on her heels as if hesitant to leave. "Text me when you get your letter?" she asked, pulling out her phone. "We should celebrate together when we both get in!"
"When, not if?" Izuku raised an eyebrow, but he was already reaching for his own phone.
"Obviously when!" Mina declared with absolute certainty as they exchanged numbers. "Did you see yourself during that exam? UA would be crazy not to accept you!"
As if to emphasize her point, one of Izuku's antimatter glands pulsed particularly brightly, casting a brief purple glow over both their faces. Mina giggled, and before Izuku could react, she stepped forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"See you at UA, hot stuff!" she called out, already darting down the station steps, leaving Izuku frozen in place, his veins glowing brighter than they had all afternoon.
He stood there for a moment, one hand touching his cheek where her lips had been, a soft smile spreading across his face. Above him, the first stars of evening were beginning to appear, twinkling like the antimatter flowing through his veins. His phone buzzed, and he looked down to see a message from Mina:
'That smoothie shop date was fun! Next time it's your treat! <3'
Izuku's grin widened as he typed back: 'Deal. After we get our acceptance letters.' Izuku put his phone back in his pocket as he got onto the train headed for Musutafu, holding onto one of the handles on the ceiling of the train. He ignored the curious stares of the other passengers, as he had grown accustomed to the looks, no thanks to the mutant aspect of his quirk, his veins having darkened to their normal brightness, the antimatter in his veins being the thing that drew the most attention.
It didn't take long before the train arrived at Musutafu, as Izuku made his way off the train, beginning his walk home. He briefly looked at his phone, seeing a text and a missed call from his mom, the text asking where he was. He sweat dropped as he realized he stayed out longer than he had originally planned, that after exam date with Mina was not something he had expected to happen.
He stood there for a moment, one hand touching his cheek where her lips had been, a soft smile spreading across his face. Above him, the first stars of evening were beginning to appear, twinkling like the antimatter flowing through his veins. His phone buzzed, and he looked down to see a message from Mina:
'That smoothie shop date was fun! Next time it's your treat! <3'
Izuku's grin widened as he typed back: 'Deal. After we get our acceptance letters.' The message sent with a soft chime, and he slipped his phone back into his pocket, making his way down to the train platform. The evening crowd had thinned somewhat, but there were still plenty of commuters heading home, their tired faces illuminated by the harsh fluorescent lighting of the station.
As he boarded the train bound for Musutafu, Izuku found himself unconsciously tracking the curious stares of other passengers. Some tried to be subtle about it, stealing quick glances when they thought he wasn't looking. Others were more obvious, openly staring at the network of purple veins that traced patterns beneath his skin. A small child pointed and asked his mother loudly why "that boy has glowing lines," making the mother hurriedly shush him.
But for once, the attention didn't bother him. Izuku had grown oddly comfortable with these looks over the past few months – they were different from the pitying or mocking stares he'd received when he was quirkless. These were looks of curiosity, sometimes awe, occasionally fear, but never disgust. The antimatter flowing through his veins had become as much a part of his identity as his green hair or his analytical mind.
He gripped one of the ceiling handles as the train swayed, the motion causing the purple light beneath his skin to shift and ripple like liquid starlight. His veins had dimmed to their normal brightness now that his quirk had fully settled from the exam, but they still cast faint shadows on the train's floor, creating abstract patterns that danced with each movement.
The journey to Musutafu passed in a blur of stations and automated announcements. When his stop finally came, Izuku stepped onto the familiar platform, the evening air carrying the scent of approaching spring. As he began his walk home through the quiet suburban streets, his phone buzzed again in his pocket.
Pulling it out, he saw a missed call from his mom and a text that made him wince slightly:
'Izuku, sweetie, where are you? Everything okay? Dinner's getting cold!'
He checked the time and felt his stomach drop – 7:45 PM. He'd completely lost track of time at the smoothie shop with Mina, their conversation flowing so naturally that hours had slipped by unnoticed. The impromptu date (was it a date? His cheek still tingled where she'd kissed it) had definitely not been part of his original post-exam plans.
"Mom's going to have questions," he muttered to himself, watching his antimatter glands pulse with mild anxiety. He could already imagine her reaction – first worry, then relief, then that knowing look she got whenever she sensed there might be a girl involved. The thought made his veins glow a fraction brighter with embarrassment.
Izuku pushed down his nerves as he approached their apartment door, fishing his key out of his wallet. The antimatter glands beneath his skin pulsed with growing anxiety as he unlocked the door, the familiar click seeming unusually loud in the quiet hallway. He stepped inside, kicking off his shoes in the entryway before freezing mid-movement. There, standing in the hallway with her hands planted firmly on her hips, was his mother – and she was wearing that smile. That knowing, motherly smirk that told him she'd already figured out exactly why he was late.
"So..." Inko drew out the word playfully, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. "Why were you gone so long, Izuku?" The question was innocent enough, but her tone made his veins glow brighter with embarrassment.
Izuku pinched the bridge of his nose, the purple light from his antimatter glands and pulsing veins under his eyes casting shifting shadows across his face. He could already feel the interrogation coming. "I went to a smoothie shop with someone from the exam..." he said carefully, trying to keep the information as minimal as possible.
"Oh?" Inko's smirk widened, and she leaned forward slightly. "Was it a girl?" The way she asked made it clear she already knew the answer.
Izuku's head dropped in defeat, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "Yes... it was a girl..."
Inko's squeal of delight made him wince. "My baby boy went on a date!" She rushed forward, pulling him into a tight hug despite their height difference. "Tell me everything! What's her name? What's her quirk? Is she nice? Did you have fun?"
"Mom!" Izuku protested weakly, though he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "It wasn't... I mean, we just..." He paused, remembering the kiss on his cheek, and his veins suddenly glowed brighter. "Her name is Mina. She has an acid quirk, and yes, she's really nice."
Inko pulled back, holding him at arm's length as she studied his face. Her eyes caught the way his veins pulsed with a warmer glow when he said Mina's name, and her smile softened. "You're blushing, sweetie. Your quirk makes your veins and glands glow brighter when you're flustered." Inko said, pointing out an observation she's made over the few months Izuku's had his quirk.
"They do not!" Izuku protested, even as the glow intensified further, betraying his embarrassment. The hundreds of tiny antimatter nodes visible beneath his skin seemed to dance with his heightened emotions, creating a constellation of purple light that only made his mother's knowing look grow stronger.
"The food's still warm," Inko said, finally taking mercy on him as she steered him toward the kitchen. "You can tell me all about this Mina girl over dinner. Like how she managed to keep my punctual son out so late after his entrance exam."
Izuku groaned, but allowed himself to be guided to the table. "We just... talked. About quirks and the exam and..." he trailed off, remembering how easily conversation had flowed between them, how natural it had felt. "She wasn't scared of my quirk," he added softly. "She said it was pretty."
Inko's eyes softened at that, understanding the weight of those words. After all the years of being quirkless, after the dramatic and dangerous awakening of his power, having someone see beauty in his antimatter meant more than just a casual compliment.
"Well then," she said, serving him a plate of katsudon, "I definitely need to hear more about this girl who can make my son's antimatter glands light up like a Christmas tree."
"Mom!" Izuku protested again, but he was smiling, the purple glow beneath his skin warm and content.
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Inko set her chopsticks down, leaning forward with eager interest. "So, tell me more about her! What does she look like? You mentioned an acid quirk?"
Izuku poked at his katsudon, his antimatter glands pulsing softly as he thought about how to describe Mina. "She's... different. Like me. A mutant-type," he began, a small smile forming. "Her skin is pink, and she has these cute little horns, and her eyes..." He paused, realizing he'd said 'cute' out loud, his veins glowing brighter. "Her eyes are actually kind of like mine now – yellow irises with black sclera. We joked about it at the exam."
"Oh?" Inko's eyes sparkled with interest. "So you both have unusual eyes? That's adorable! What else?"
"Mom..." Izuku groaned, but continued anyway. "Her quirk lets her produce and control acid. During the exam, she was amazing – melting through robots while protecting other examinees. She can even use it to slide around, like skating." His voice took on that familiar analytical tone he got when discussing quirks, but there was something softer in it now, something that made Inko's smile widen.
"She sounds wonderful, sweetie. And clearly she thinks you're wonderful too, if she asked you out for smoothies right after the exam."
"Actually..." Izuku's veins flickered nervously. "She, um... she kind of... kissed me. On the cheek. At the train station."
The squeal Inko let out could probably be heard three floors down. "MY BABY BOY GOT HIS FIRST KISS!" She clasped her hands together, tears of joy already forming in her eyes. "Oh, Izuku! I knew this day would come! My sweet boy, finding his future wife at the UA entrance exam!"
"MOM!" Izuku's entire face flushed red, his antimatter glands glowing so brightly they cast purple shadows on the ceiling. "It was just a peck on the cheek! We barely know each other! Don't start planning the wedding!"
"But Izuku!" Inko was practically bouncing in her seat now. "It's perfect! Both of you with mutation quirks, both going to be heroes... Oh! Your children would be so cute! Maybe they'd have pink skin with glowing purple veins, or—"
"I'm going to my room!" Izuku announced suddenly, standing up with his face burning and his quirk practically lighting up the entire kitchen. But despite his embarrassment, he couldn't quite hide his smile. "We don't even know if we got into UA yet..."
"Oh, please," Inko waved off his concern. "After what you told me about the exam, there's no way either of you didn't get in. And then you can go on proper dates, and I can meet her, and—"
"Goodnight, Mom!" Izuku called out, practically fleeing to his room, his mother's delighted laughter following him down the hall. Once in the safety of his bedroom, Izuku flopped onto his bed, staring at his ceiling as his antimatter glands slowly dimmed to their normal glow.
Izuku lay on his bed with his pillow half over his face, listening to his mom's muffled humming drift down the hallway. After a moment, he pulled the pillow away and stared up at the ceiling, his heart still beating faster than it had any right to.
"A future wife… seriously…" he muttered, though the corners of his mouth refused to stop twitching.
His phone buzzed again in his hand.
Mina:
"Made it home! Still thinking about that awesome antimatter show you put on at the exam. Can't wait to see what else you can do!"
Izuku rolled onto his side, hugging the pillow to his chest as he typed back, thumbs hesitating for half a second before moving.
Izuku:
"I'm glad you got home safe! And… it wasn't really a 'show', I was just trying not to get crushed. But thanks. I had a really good time today."
He set the phone down on his chest, staring at it like it might explode. A few seconds later, it buzzed again.
Mina:
"Same! Best post-near-death hangout ever Also, your mom didn't freak out that you were late, did she?"
Izuku snorted softly and pushed himself up to sit on the edge of his bed. He kicked off his shoes, lining them up neatly by the wall out of pure habit.
Izuku:
"She absolutely did. But in a… happy way? I think she already thinks we're getting married."
There was a pause. Long enough that Izuku started to panic a little.
Then:
Mina:
"PFFT—WHAT?! Okay but that's kinda hilarious. My parents would do the same if they knew I went out with a cute hero boy after the exam."
Izuku's face heated instantly. He buried it briefly in his hands before daring to look at the screen again.
Izuku:
"Cute?! You're exaggerating."
Across town, Mina was sprawled on her bed, still in her exam clothes, boots kicked off somewhere near the door. She grinned at her phone, tail flicking lazily behind her as she typed.
Mina:
"Am I? Glowy veins, heroic personality, saves people without thinking? Sounds cute to me. Plus, you blush super easily. That's adorable."
Izuku let out a tiny, strangled noise and fell backward onto his bed, staring at the ceiling again.
Izuku:
"You're impossible… But… thanks. That means a lot."
He sat up again, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and stood, stretching as the day finally started to catch up with him. His muscles ached, and his eyelids felt heavy.
Izuku:
"I'm gonna get ready for bed. Today really took it out of me. But we can keep texting if you want!"
Mina:
"Yeah! I'm just lying here anyway. Go brush those hero teeth, Midoriya"
He smiled at that and headed for the bathroom. As he brushed his teeth and washed his face, he kept glancing at his phone on the sink whenever it buzzed.
Mina:
"So what's your room like? Bet it's full of hero stuff."
Izuku:
"…Maybe. Okay, yes. Definitely. There are All Might posters. And notebooks. A lot of notebooks.... not as much as there used to be though"
He glanced back toward his room, mentally picturing the stacks of scribbled analyses.
Mina:
"That's so on-brand it hurts. I wanna see them someday. Your super-secret hero brain notes."
Izuku rinsed his mouth and dried his face, feeling oddly nervous at the idea.
Izuku:
"Maybe when we're at UA… if you really want to."
He paused, then added:
Izuku:
"I'd like to see your room too."
On Mina's end, she rolled onto her stomach, kicking her feet in the air.
Mina:
"Deal! Mine's way messier though, just warning you."
Izuku chuckled quietly as he walked back into his room, setting his phone on his desk while he changed into pajamas. When he picked it up again, there were two new notifications.
One from Mina.
And one from a very familiar name.
Katsuki:
"Oi, nerd. You alive?"
Izuku blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected to hear from Katsuki tonight. He quickly typed back.
Izuku:
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just got home a bit ago. What's up, Kacchan?"
The reply came almost instantly.
Katsuki:
"You disappeared after the exam. Thought you got yourself blown up or something. I'm sure you did great out there deku"
Izuku stared at the words, sweat rolling down his forehead, his glowing purple irises staring at his screen for a moment.
That… might've been the closest thing to a compliment Katsuki had ever texted him.
Izuku:
"Thanks… that means a lot, actually. I'm sure you did great in the exam."
There was a longer pause this time.
Katsuki:
"Tch. Obviously. We're both getting in. Don't slack off just because you got some fancy new power, got it?"
Izuku smiled softly.
Izuku:
"I won't. I promise."
Another buzz — Mina again.
Mina:
"Who you texting? Don't tell me you've already got another date"
Izuku laughed under his breath and flopped back onto his bed.
Izuku:
"No! It's just Bakugo. He was checking in....In his own way."
Mina:
"Explosion boy? Wow, character development. Guess getting your ass handed to you really does change folks."
Izuku thought about that for a moment.
Izuku:
"Yeah… I think it does."
He shifted onto his side, pulling his blanket up over himself. The room was quiet now, the lights off except for the soft glow of his phone screen.
Izuku:
"I'm really glad we met today, Mina. Before the exam, I was terrified. But… you made everything after that feel a lot less scary."
There was a pause. Then:
Mina:
"Same here. I was nervous too, but hanging out with you was the best part of my day. I keep replaying that moment at the station in my head…"
Izuku's chest tightened.
Izuku:
"Me too…"
Mina:
"Hey, Midoriya? When we get into UA… let's stick together, okay? No matter what class we're in."
Izuku didn't hesitate.
Izuku:
"Yeah. I'd like that. Goodnight, Mina."
A few seconds later:
Mina:
"Goodnight, Izuku"
Izuku set his phone on the bedside table, the screen's glow fading to darkness as he settled back against his pillows. His room was quiet save for the distant sounds of his mother's excited phone conversation and the gentle hum of the city outside his window. The events of the day played through his mind like a movie - the entrance exam, the raw power of his quirk as he erased that massive robot, and of course, meeting Mina.
A year ago, he would have been staring at his ceiling, crying over his quirkless status, dreaming of a future that seemed impossible. Now, the same ceiling was painted in soft purple light from his veins, a constant reminder of how much had changed. His quirk awakening had transformed everything - his body, his confidence, his entire future. The scared, bullied kid who used to hide in the back of the classroom felt like a stranger now.
"What a day," he murmured to himself, turning onto his side and watching the shadows his quirk cast dance across his wall. The memory of Mina's kiss on his cheek made his veins pulse briefly brighter, and he couldn't help but smile. That wouldn't have happened to the old Izuku - the quirkless Deku who could barely speak to anyone, let alone a pretty girl.
His eyes grew heavy as exhaustion from the exam finally caught up with him. The antimatter flowing through his veins settled into a peaceful rhythm, like a cosmic lullaby. As consciousness began to fade, Izuku's last thoughts weren't of anxiety over UA's decision or worry about the future. Instead, he thought of pink skin, acid slides, and smoothies shared on an unexpected afternoon.
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The teachers' lounge at UA was quiet at this hour, most of the staff having gone home for the day. Toshinori Yagi sat hunched over his desk, his gaunt form illuminated by the soft glow of his computer screen. Student files were spread across his workspace, but his attention was fixed on one in particular - Izuku Midoriya's registry entry.
The photograph attached to the file made him frown slightly. It showed a timid-looking boy with messy green hair and ordinary green eyes, nothing like the powerful young man who had carved a hole through a zero-pointer with antimatter just a week ago. The stark difference between the pre-quirk photo and the reality of the boy now was jarring.
"They haven't gotten a new photo yet... strange," Toshinori muttered to himself, scanning the quirk information section. The details about Anti-Flux were clinical, scientific, lacking any mention of the raw cosmic power he'd witnessed firsthand during the sludge villain incident.
"You haven't met the students, and yet you are already playing favorites...?"
The sudden voice made Toshinori jump, papers scattering across his desk as he whirled around to face Shota Aizawa. The underground hero stood in the doorway, his capture weapon coiled loosely around his neck and his bloodshot eyes fixed on the file Toshinori had been examining.
"Aizawa-kun," Toshinori acknowledged, trying to slow his startled heartbeat. "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here this late."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed as he approached the desk, looking at the screen - a detailed report of Izuku's entrance exam performance. "Midoriya," he read aloud, his tone maintaining that perpetual exhausted drawl. "Ah. The antimatter kid."
"You've reviewed his file?" Toshinori asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
"I've reviewed everyone's files," Aizawa replied flatly, dark eyes scanning the document. "But this one... this one's interesting. A late quirk awakening that literally rewrote his DNA. The kind of power that could level cities if not properly controlled." He set the paper down, fixing Toshinori with a knowing look. "The kind of power that attracts attention. Like that of the Symbol of Peace, perhaps?"
Toshinori met Aizawa's gaze steadily. They both knew what the underground hero was implying. "I was there," he admitted quietly. "When his quirk first manifested. I've never seen anything like it."
"Hmm," Aizawa hummed noncommittally, but his eyes held a sharp intelligence that belied his exhausted appearance. "Just remember, All Might - at UA, potential means nothing without the proper guidance. If he ends up in my class..." He turned toward the door, his capture weapon shifting slightly with the movement. "I'll judge him by his actions, not his power."
As Aizawa's footsteps faded down the hallway, Toshinori looked back at Izuku's outdated photo. The boy in the picture looked scared, uncertain. But the young man he'd met, the one who'd turned antimatter into art during the entrance exam - that was someone else entirely.
"Don't worry, young Midoriya," he murmured, finally closing the file. "UA will help you become the hero you were always meant to be."
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The morning sun filtered through the apartment windows, casting warm light across the living room where Inko was arranging snacks on the coffee table. A knock at the door echoed through the apartment, making her smile knowingly. "Izuku! Get the door please!" she called out.
Izuku emerged from his room, still stretching away the last remnants of sleep. His acceptance letter sat unopened on his desk - he'd been adamant about waiting to open it with the others, despite how the anticipation made his antimatter glands pulse with nervous energy. He reached for the door handle, completely unprepared for what happened next.
A blur of pink crashed into him the moment the door opened, nearly knocking him off his feet. Mina's arms wrapped around him in an enthusiastic embrace, her excited squeal muffled against his chest. Behind her, Katsuki leaned against the doorframe, an amused smirk playing on his face as he watched Izuku stumble.
"Jeez Mina! Careful!" Izuku laughed, returning the hug despite his surprise. His veins glowed a bit brighter at the contact, something that didn't escape Katsuki's notice, judging by his widening smirk.
Mina giggled as she pulled back, her yellow and black eyes bright with excitement. "Sorry! I'm just so nervous about the letters! Did you open yours yet?" She bounced on her toes, her own letter clutched tightly in one hand.
"Not yet," Izuku replied, watching as she practically skipped into the apartment. "Was waiting for you guys."
Katsuki finally entered, nodding respectfully to Inko. "Auntie," he greeted, his usual gruff tone softened slightly. "Thanks for having us over."
"Of course, Katsuki!" Inko beamed, secretly sliding her phone back into her pocket. She'd managed to capture several photos of Mina's surprise hug, already mentally planning to add them to her growing album of 'Izuku and Mina moments.' "I made spicy snacks, just how you like them."
Mina had already made herself comfortable on the couch, patting the space beside her as she looked at Izuku expectantly. "Come on, hot stuff! Let's see if we made it!"
Izuku's face flushed at the nickname, especially with his mother present. Inko's delighted gasp and Katsuki's snort of laughter didn't help matters. "Let me get my letter," he mumbled, hurrying to his room as his veins betrayed his embarrassment with their brightening glow.
"You're not subtle, Raccoon Eyes," he heard Katsuki say as he retrieved his letter, followed by Mina's defensive "I don't know what you're talking about!"
When he returned to the living room, Mina had claimed one end of the couch while Katsuki lounged in the armchair, both holding their unopened letters. Inko stood nearby with her phone suspiciously ready, probably planning to document the whole thing.
"Ready?" Izuku asked, sitting beside Mina and trying to ignore how she immediately scooted closer.
"Born ready!" Mina declared, while Katsuki just grunted an affirmative.
The three opened their letters at the same time, three small holographic discs falling out and immediately snapping together, combining into one disc, something UA had designed in the case of a friends opening their letters at the same time, as the hologram flickered to life, All Might, in a yellow striped suit appeared, preparing to announce the results.
The crisp sound of tearing envelopes filled the room as all three students opened their letters simultaneously. Three metallic discs slipped out, each bearing UA's insignia. Before anyone could react, the discs began to hover, drawn together by some unseen force until they connected with a soft click. A beam of light erupted upward, forming into a large holographic display that filled the living room with blue light.
"I AM HERE AS A PROJECTION!" All Might's booming voice filled the room as his image appeared, dressed in a garish yellow pinstriped suit. His signature grin was impossibly wide as he continued, "Young heroes, you are watching this together, which means you share a bond of friendship! How wonderful!"
Katsuki rolled his eyes while Mina bounced excitedly in her seat, unconsciously gripping Izuku's arm. Inko had her phone ready, recording everything.
"Now then! Let's start with the results!" All Might declared, pulling out a sheet of paper. "Young Midoriya! Not only did you pass, but you achieved the highest score in UA entrance exam history!"
The hologram shifted, showing footage from the exam. Izuku watched himself standing before the massive zero-pointer, his veins and antimatter glands glowing like a constellation beneath his skin. On screen, he thrust his palm forward, antimatter swirling around his hand before condensing into a sphere the size of a baseball.
"Witness this display of power and control!" All Might's voice narrated as the recording showed Izuku launching the sphere. The moment it left his hand, it began to expand rapidly, growing to massive proportions. The zero-pointer didn't even have time to react before the antimatter sphere engulfed it, erasing it from existence with surgical precision.
"80 villain points for combat efficiency!" All Might announced. "But that's not all! Your actions in protecting other examinees, your strategic use of your quirk to create escape routes, and your willingness to put yourself in harm's way to help others earned you an additional 140 hero points! A total of 220 points - the highest score ever recorded!"
Mina squealed, throwing her arms around Izuku while Katsuki let out a impressed "tch." The hologram continued, showing clips of Izuku using controlled bursts of antimatter to clear paths for other examinees, creating platforms for those who had fallen, and systematically taking down robots while ensuring no other students were in the blast radius.
"Young Midoriya," All Might's voice grew more serious, more proud. "You showed not just power, but the true spirit of heroism. Welcome to UA's Hero Course, Class 1-A!"
The projection shifted, ready to announce the next student's results, but Izuku barely heard it. He was still processing the numbers - 220 points. He'd not only passed, he'd shattered every record. His veins pulsed with joy as Mina hugged him tighter, and even Katsuki was wearing what could almost be called a proud smile.
Inko was openly crying now, her camera forgotten as she watched her son's dream become reality. The boy who had once been quirkless had just made UA history.
The hologram flickered as All Might's image returned, his grin somehow growing even wider. "Now then! Young Ashido!" The projection shifted to show Mina sliding gracefully on her acid, weaving between robots with acrobatic precision. "Your innovative use of your quirk for mobility and combat showed great promise! 45 villain points!"
The footage continued, showing Mina creating acid barriers to protect other examinees, melting through debris to free trapped students, and using her quirk to create safe paths through the chaos. "And an impressive 50 hero points for your rescue efforts! Welcome to Class 1-A!"
Mina's excited shriek nearly deafened Izuku, but he couldn't help grinning as she bounced in place. "We're in the same class!" she exclaimed, her yellow and black eyes shining with joy.
"And finally," All Might continued, "Young Bakugo!"
The projection changed to show Katsuki in action, his explosions lighting up the exam field like fireworks. "77 villain points for your overwhelming combat prowess!" The footage showed him systematically destroying robot after robot with tactical precision. "And while your... aggressive approach was concerning, you showed situational awareness in ensuring your explosions didn't endanger other examinees. 35 hero points! You too will join Class 1-A!"
"Tch, of course I did," Katsuki smirked, but there was genuine pride in his voice. "Third place isn't bad, considering I was competing with someone who can literally erase matter from existence."
"Wait," Mina perked up, "who got second?"
"Some extra named Yaoyorozu," Katsuki shrugged. "Creation quirk. Got like 150 points total."
The hologram of All Might raised his hand in a final salute. "You three have shown incredible potential! Report to UA in two weeks time for orientation. PLUS ULTRA!"
The projection faded, leaving the three discs to separate and float back to their respective owners. For a moment, the room was quiet as the reality sank in - they had all made it, and into the same class no less.
"GROUP HUG!" Mina suddenly announced, grabbing both boys before they could protest. Katsuki made a show of struggling, but didn't actually try to break free as Mina squeezed them both.
"This calls for celebration!" Inko declared, wiping happy tears from her eyes. "I'll order from that nice restaurant down the street - the one with the extra spicy options Katsuki likes!"
As Inko went to make the call, Mina finally released her captives. "Can you believe it?" she beamed, practically glowing with excitement. "We're going to be heroes!"
Izuku felt warmth bloom in his chest as he looked between his childhood friend and the girl who had so quickly become important to him. His quirk hummed contentedly beneath his skin, and for once, the future looked absolutely perfect.
"Yeah," he agreed softly, returning Mina's bright smile. "We are."
The celebration quickly turned into an impromptu dinner party as Inko bustled around the kitchen, adding her own home-cooked sides to complement the takeout she'd ordered. The apartment filled with the mixed aromas of spicy takeout and Inko's cooking, creating an atmosphere of warmth and celebration.
"So," Mina said, perched on a kitchen counter despite Inko's half-hearted protests, "220 points, huh? Guess I'm friends with UA's new golden boy!" She playfully nudged Izuku with her foot as he leaned against the counter beside her.
"Just friends?" Katsuki muttered under his breath, loud enough for only Izuku to hear, earning him a glare that made his veins pulse brighter.
"It's not that big a deal," Izuku tried to downplay it, but his small smile betrayed his pride. "I just did what felt right."
"What felt right was erasing a building-sized robot from existence?" Mina giggled. "Your definition of 'not a big deal' needs work, hot stuff."
The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of their food. As Inko went to answer it, Katsuki spoke up from his position at the kitchen table. "Oi, nerd. We should probably warn Raccoon Eyes about your quirk's... side effects."
Mina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Side effects? Like the glowing?"
"More like the reality-bending shit that happens when he loses control," Katsuki explained, a hint of seriousness entering his voice. "Remember that glitching after the exam? That's just the tip of the iceberg."
"Kacchan," Izuku started, but Katsuki cut him off.
"She needs to know, Deku. Especially if she's going to be..." he smirked, "close to you."
Before Izuku could respond, Inko returned with bags of food, effectively pausing the conversation. But Mina's curious glances told him this discussion wasn't over.
As they settled around the table, the food spread out before them, Izuku caught Mina's eye. She smiled, soft and understanding, and mouthed 'later' to him. Somehow, that simple gesture made his anxiety about sharing the more dangerous aspects of his quirk fade slightly.
"To UA's newest heroes!" Inko raised her glass in a toast, beaming at the three students. "And to new beginnings!"
The dining room was filled with warmth and laughter as they ate, the mix of takeout and Inko's cooking creating a perfect celebration feast. Mina had somehow ended up seated right next to Izuku, their shoulders occasionally brushing as they reached for dishes. Katsuki sat across from them, alternating between devouring the spiciest dishes known to man and making subtle jabs about their obvious attraction.
"So," Mina said between bites, her yellow and black eyes bright with curiosity, "what did Katsuki mean about reality-bending side effects? I've only seen the glitching that one time after the exam."
Izuku set down his chopsticks, exchanging a glance with Katsuki. The atmosphere shifted slightly, becoming more serious. Inko's hand found her son's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze of encouragement.
"My quirk..." Izuku began carefully, "it's not just about producing and controlling antimatter. The doctors say it fundamentally changed what I am on a molecular level. Sometimes, when I push too hard or lose control, things get... strange."
"Strange how?" Mina asked softly, turning in her chair to face him fully.
"Show her," Katsuki suggested, his usual aggressive tone tempered with understanding. "The safe version."
Izuku nodded, holding out his hand palm-up on the table. His veins darkened momentarily before his antimatter glands began to glow, creating that familiar constellation effect beneath his skin. But then something else happened – the air around his hand began to distort, the veins in his palm lit up like reality itself was bending around him. Small objects near his hand – chopsticks, napkins, even drops of spilled sauce – began to float and distort, caught in the warped space, as the tiny pea sized hole in his palm began to glow a faint purple.
"This is just a fraction of it," Izuku explained, his voice quiet. "When it gets bad, when I really lose control, I start to... phase in and out of reality. Parts of me exist in multiple places at once. Sometimes things around me just cease to exist without me even trying to erase them. During training, I once accidentally created a space where time moved differently – Kacchan was stuck moving in slow motion for almost an hour."
"It was fucking weird," Katsuki confirmed, absently rubbing his arm as if remembering. "Like being trapped in jello, but worse."
Mina reached out, hesitating only briefly before placing her hand in Izuku's still-outstretched one. The distortions swirled around their joined hands, but didn't harm her. "Does it hurt?" she asked. "When you lose control like that?"
"Sometimes," Izuku admitted. "It's like... like being torn apart and put back together wrong. The doctors think it's because my body is constantly fighting between matter and antimatter, between existing and not existing."
"That's why he needs people watching his back," Katsuki added, unusually serious. "In case he starts to lose it. Someone to ground him, to pull him back before he accidentally erases himself from existence."
Inko made a small, distressed sound at that – it was clearly still difficult for her to hear about the dangers of her son's quirk. But Mina's expression remained determined, her grip on Izuku's hand tightening.
"Well, good thing he'll have us then," she said firmly. "Both of us. Right, Katsuki?"
Katsuki's surprise at being included showed only briefly before he smirked. "Obviously. Can't let this nerd disappear himself before I beat him in a fair fight."
The tension broke as Izuku laughed, the distortions around his hand fading as his quirk settled. "You're still hung up on that first fight? When I knocked you into the classroom wall?"
"That was a cheap shot and you know it, Deku!"
As they fell into familiar banter, Mina didn't let go of Izuku's hand. If anything, she scooted her chair closer, her thumb tracing small circles over his antimatter glands. The gesture was so casual, so accepting, that Izuku felt something in his chest tighten with emotion.
"You're not scared?" he asked quietly, while Katsuki was distracted arguing with Inko about having fourths.
Mina looked at him, her yellow and black eyes meeting his purple ones without hesitation. "Of you? Never." She smiled, that bright, genuine smile that made his quirk hum happily beneath his skin. "Your power is part of who you are, Izuku. And I like who you are."
The simple honesty in her words made his veins glow brighter, earning a giggle from her. Before he could respond, Katsuki's voice cut in:
"If you two are done having a moment, Auntie's bringing out dessert. And Deku, your face is literally lighting up the whole room."
"Shut up, Kacchan," Izuku muttered, but he was smiling, and he didn't let go of Mina's hand.
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As evening settled over Musutafu, the celebration moved to the living room. Inko had brought out photo albums – much to Izuku's mortification – and was happily sharing stories with Mina, who sat cross-legged on the floor, eagerly absorbing every embarrassing childhood detail.
"And this one," Inko said, pointing to a photo of a tiny Izuku in an All Might onesie, "was his favorite pajamas. He wouldn't take them off for a week!"
"Mom!" Izuku groaned from his position on the couch, but Mina's delighted laughter made it hard to actually be annoyed. She'd somehow ended up leaning back against his legs as she looked through the albums, and the casual contact felt... right.
"You were adorable!" she insisted, turning another page. "Oh! Is this you and Katsuki?"
The photo showed two small boys covered in mud, grinning widely at the camera. Little Katsuki was making explosion shapes with his hands while little Izuku held up an All Might action figure.
"We were four," Katsuki said from his sprawled position in the armchair. "Deku insisted we had to save All Might from the mud villain."
"By jumping into the mud pit headfirst," Inko added dryly. "I never did get those stains out."
The room filled with warm laughter, and Izuku found himself marveling at how natural this felt. Katsuki, his childhood friend turned bully turned friend again, lounging comfortably in his living room. Mina, this bright, unexpected addition to his life, fitting so perfectly into their dynamic. His mother, happier than he'd seen her in years.
The sky outside had grown dark, stars beginning to peek through the city's light pollution. Mina tilted her head back to look at Izuku, her yellow eyes reflecting the purple glow of his veins. "We should probably head home soon," she said, though she made no move to get up.
"I'll walk you to the station," Izuku offered immediately, earning knowing looks from both his mother and Katsuki.
"Such a gentleman," Mina teased, finally standing and stretching. "Thanks for having us over, Mrs. Midoriya! The food was amazing!"
"Yeah, thanks Auntie," Katsuki added, pushing himself up from the armchair. "Still the best spicy cooking around."
As they gathered their things – acceptance letters carefully tucked away in bags – Inko pulled each of them into a hug, including Katsuki who pretended to protest but returned it anyway. "I'm so proud of all of you," she said, wiping happy tears from her eyes. "My future heroes!"
The night air was cool as they stepped outside, the street quiet save for distant city sounds. Katsuki split off first, heading toward his neighborhood with a casual wave and a "Don't do anything stupid, nerds."
Walking to the station with Mina felt different this time – more settled, more certain. Their hands found each other naturally, fingers intertwining as they walked beneath streetlights that seemed to pulse in time with Izuku's quirk.
"Today was perfect," Mina said softly as they reached the station steps. "Getting into UA, being in the same class, meeting your mom... all of it."
"Yeah," Izuku agreed, feeling braver than usual as he squeezed her hand. "It really was."
This time, when Mina rose on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, he was ready for it. He turned slightly, catching the corner of her mouth with his. It was brief, barely more than a brush of lips, but it made his entire body light up like a purple Christmas tree.
Mina's face flushed darker pink, but her smile was radiant. "See you at UA, hot stuff," she whispered, before disappearing down the steps with a skip in her step.
Izuku stood there for a moment, touching his lips and grinning like an idiot. His phone buzzed – probably his mother asking if Mina got to the station safely, or Katsuki making fun of him, or maybe even Mina herself. But for now, he just looked up at the stars, his quirk humming contentedly beneath his skin.
In two weeks, they'd start at UA. In two weeks, they'd begin their journey to becoming heroes. But right now, in this moment, Izuku Midoriya was already exactly where he needed to be.