Izuku had lost his voice.
His dream had once been accompanied by words like:
"You can do it."
"Come on, hero."
"Forward, for the glory of altruism."
"Every person can be a hero."
But now everything had changed. Those words of support felt like burning coals—untouchable and painful. If you dared to hold them, you'd get burned. In the corners of young Midoriya's mind, other words began to flash—words that were true, yet so painful they shattered his heart, just like his dream, into thousands of tiny shards too fragile to piece together.
"Quirkless."
"Unworthy."
"Underdeveloped."
"You can't become a hero without a quirk."
The words echoed endlessly in his mind. Unable to bear the weight of the migraine they caused, Izuku let out a heavy sigh, drawing the curious and concerned gaze of Nejire. She noticed his tears and, unable to restrain her curiosity or find the right words, asked bluntly why he had lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.
— Nejire, I... I... I'm quirkless.
Nejire was surprised. She had never met anyone without a quirk before. All she knew was that quirkless people were a discriminated minority. Most older Japanese citizens were quirkless, but even among them, it was rare. Meeting a child without a quirk was like seeing a global celebrity in a tiny village.
But it didn't matter. Nejire didn't care whether Izuku had a quirk. For the first time, he spoke to her not like a weirdo, but as an equal.
The main difficulty with communicating with Nejire was her excessive curiosity. Sometimes it made people uncomfortable, as she tended to cross personal boundaries. Yet this time, even bursting into the room and seeing Izuku like that didn't faze her. On the contrary—it made her smile and see him as a potential friend, something she'd been missing since elementary school.
After such an unusual introduction, Nejire had no intention of abandoning a friend just because he didn't have a quirk.
— So what? I believe what makes someone a hero isn't their quirk, but their heart, Izuku, — Nejire said cheerfully, causing Izuku to raise his head. Her words pierced the darkness of his doubt like a ray of hope.
Inspired, Izuku wanted her to go on—but didn't dare ask. He simply needed to know if she truly meant it.
— Is it true that you... really think that about me?
Warmth filled his chest, and Nejire's freckled face turned red. She giggled.
— I really think so, silly. And I'd love to be your friend—maybe even your best friend! — she said brightly.
Izuku gave her a golden smile—the kind that brings happiness to everyone who sees it. Nejire was no exception.
They talked and laughed, enjoying each other's company. Izuku shared stories about heroes and how cool they were, while Nejire listened eagerly, absorbing his enthusiasm. Not wanting to stay quiet, she responded with funny stories of her own. They made Izuku trust her more. She was silly sometimes, but it was fun being around her.
Suddenly, a hand touched Izuku's shoulder. He turned to see his mother standing there, her expression sad and disappointed. It contrasted sharply with the bright mood he shared with Nejire.
— Ah, I see you've made a new friend, Nejire, — said a man with azure hair, smiling warmly. He took Nejire's hand and led her from the chair, heading toward the doctor's office.
— Yes, Dad! His name's Izuku, and he's really cool! — Nejire said, beaming with her full set of milk teeth.
Doctor Akira appeared in the doorway, calling them in.
— Mr. Hado, please come in, — he gestured. Nejire looked back at Izuku with pleading eyes, hoping he wouldn't leave.
Inko stood nearby, holding a folder with test results. She called her son, but he said something she never expected.
— Mom, wait. Let's wait for Nejire-san. We should wait for her.
Inko gave him a demonstrative smile, trying to forget what had happened five minutes earlier, and sat down next to him.
To cheer him up, Nejire added:
— Thank you, Izuku. I promise my exam will be quick, and then we can play together!
Feeling proud, Nejire entered the office, and her father closed the door behind them.
While they were gone, Inko spoke about Nejire and how sweet she was—now a friend to her son. Inko felt proud that, despite the painful truth Izuku had learned, he still smiled through the pain. She knew that quirkless children often lacked friends, and she feared Izuku might be alone for a long time. But now he had a friend—or rather, a friend had found him.
Friends made in childhood often become lifelong companions, and Inko promised herself she would do everything to preserve this connection. Izuku needed more than just her support—he needed Nejire's too.
Ten minutes later, Nejire didn't just step out of the office—she burst out. She scanned the hallway, spotted Izuku sitting a short distance away, and ran toward him.
Behind her, her father's exasperated voice could be heard, grumbling about her behavior, though he knew there was no changing her enthusiastic nature.
— Izuku!! Izuku!! — Nejire shouted, hurrying to him. Izuku stood up and ran to meet her. Now he was infected by her curiosity—it was just as contagious as his smile.
— Nejire, did they tell you what your quirk is? Is it cool? Can you show me? What kind of quirk is it?
The rapid-fire questions stunned her for a moment, but she quickly recovered and decided to show him.
— Haha, look, Izuku!
She extended her hands, and bright, sparkling energy waves shimmered from her palms. They danced in the air, creating mesmerizing patterns and colors. Izuku watched in awe, holding his breath.
— This is incredible! — he exclaimed. — How do you do that?
— I have a special quirk, — Nejire replied proudly. — I can manipulate energy! I can create different waves and even use them in battle if I need to!
— Wow, that's really cool! — Izuku said, his eyes shining. — I wish I could do something like that!
Nejire smiled, her eyes sparkling with joy. She felt a real connection between them.
— Maybe one day I can teach you, — she said hopefully. — Though I'm not sure how it'll work without a quirk.
— I believe anyone can become a hero, even without a quirk, — Izuku said, repeating her earlier words. Her encouragement had strengthened his confidence. He now believed that there were many exciting moments ahead for them.
At that moment, Inko approached, a bit concerned that her son had gotten so absorbed in the conversation.
— Izuku, you haven't forgotten about your studies, have you? — she asked gently.
— Mom, I... — Izuku began, but Nejire jumped in.
— Don't worry, Auntie! I was just showing Izuku my quirk! He's super impressed!
Inko looked at Nejire and smiled warmly.
— I'm glad to hear that, Nejire. But Izuku, remember your responsibilities.
— Of course, Mom, — he replied, though deep inside, he didn't want to leave. He had found something special with Nejire.
— Maybe we can meet later? — Nejire asked hopefully.
— Yes, definitely! I really want to see you again, — Izuku replied, blushing and smiling.
Nejire nodded, eyes shining.
— Great! Let's meet in the park sometime!
— Yes, let's! — Izuku agreed, certain that this was the start of something wonderful.
When Nejire left with her father, Izuku sat down again, a smile still on his face. His heart was full of hope. New adventures and a new friendship lay ahead—perhaps one that would help him face whatever came next.
A few days later, Izuku waited eagerly for their meeting. He thought about Nejire often and hoped their friendship would grow.
When they finally met again in the park, he was filled with anticipation.
— Hi, Izuku! — Nejire called cheerfully as she ran up.
— Hi, Nejire! — he replied, heart racing.
They walked through the park, discussing their dreams and future plans. Nejire talked about her training and her desire to become a hero like her idols. Izuku listened, admiring her passion.
— And you? What's your dream? — Nejire asked, stopping to face him.
— I want to become a great hero, — Izuku said with determination. — I want to protect people and prove that you can be strong, even without a quirk.
Nejire nodded, impressed.
— I believe in you, Izuku! You can do it! — she encouraged. Her words filled him with strength.
They continued walking and laughing. And in that moment, Izuku realized—this friendship gave him the strength he had been missing.
Their story had just begun. Many challenges and adventures awaited. But now, Izuku felt ready to face them—with Nejire, his new best friend, by his side.
To be continued.