"Oh, yes, of course," she said with a smile to Izuku, who had completely forgotten about those around him. She was a few inches taller than him, but unlike her, he had something to hide.
Unlike Venom, Izuku did not suspect any intrigue in her words. Perhaps the world of his alternate personality differed from Izuku Midoriya's everyday life. Many of the emotions he had experienced remained on the streets, scattering like sand, and took shape again when he found the strength to protect people.
Over the past few months, she was the first peer who treated him with respect, which caused pleasant emotions to spread throughout his circulatory system and nourish Venom with the finest delicacy. As a reflection of Izuku's pragmatic side, Venom saw the benefit of new acquaintances in solving Izuku's civic problems.
"Great, I'll wait for you after class," she said, smiling sweetly at him. Before leaving, Izuku's gaze lingered on her size B breasts, which caught his attention. Melissa didn't notice, but Venom saw everything and smiled slyly at his host's behavior.
"I know what you were looking at, Izuku. You have good taste in girls," Venom laughed inside as Izuku blushed, approaching his desk. He didn't pay attention to such things, but with each passing year, he began to notice girls his age more and more. Because of his plainness, he didn't think anyone would talk to him. And this girl, a foreigner at that, had noticed him.
"Don't make me blush anymore, Andy!" Venom argued with his host in Izuku's mind about the wonderful emotions one could experience when talking to people. All of Izuku's past experiences with people had been negative due to his alienation from normal society.
The lesson began, and everything proceeded extremely slowly for many students. Fuyumi explained the history of whims and the whimsical era, which was important for modern people to know in order to understand the price they had to pay for the peaceful sky above their heads. In modern society, quirks were present, and villains disturbed the peace, but their misdeeds often intersected with heroes. Compared to the present day, the past decades were a battlefield.
Two sides fought each other to preserve or create a new society. Unfortunately, year after year, Fuyumi noticed how history was being rewritten, distorting the whole essence, making one side more heroic and courageous, and portraying the other in a less favorable light.
Teaching teenagers was difficult for any teacher. Hormones and the emergence of one's own "self" often interfered with teaching lessons. She could have taken the easy way out by abusing her power over her students. But in order not to repeat her father's sins, she decided to go her own way without resorting to violence. Unfortunately, violence could not be eradicated from the human soul, no matter how much she wanted it. Her life told her directly that without violence, some goals could not be achieved.
Izuku listened, occasionally glancing at his new friend. Looking at her, Izuku's mind was filled with childhood memories of Nejire. She was similar to her, but in other ways, she was not. If he could read people correctly, Melissa was much calmer than Nejire, but the image of his inquisitive and curious friend was still etched in his memory as the ideal image of a friend and, perhaps, a girlfriend.
Izuku continued to glance at Melissa as she concentrated on taking notes in her notebook. Her handwriting was neat and even — there was no sense of haste or anxiety in it. It was amazing how someone so alien to this society could remain so calm. He felt it in his gut — she wasn't afraid of them, she wasn't hiding or pretending. She was just being herself.
"Maybe that's why she spoke to me first..." he thought, tilting his head slightly to one side. He remembered how she looked into his eyes—not with pity, not with mockery, not with caution, but with a kind of curiosity. As if he were not a "problem" but a mystery. And that affected him more than he wanted to admit.
Venom felt a stir in his soul.
"Well, you're melting before our eyes, Izuku. With that expression on your face, all you need is some hearts above your head." The image of a shy teenager from a cartoon seemed extremely funny to Venom. It wasn't because of the comedies he watched in secret while his host slept. The scene of a beautiful new student falling in love with a simple nerd was a clichéd scenario, but this formula worked better than any other for teenage anime.
"Andy, stop..." Izuku muttered quietly, covering his mouth with his hand as if he had coughed. Melissa focused her gaze on the board while a heated discussion between the human and the alien took place behind her.
"Come on, admit it, you like that someone didn't look at you like an idiot for the first time. You want her to talk to you again. You want her to stay." Izuku remained silent, but inside he agreed. He wanted to hold on to this feeling — that things could be different. That he could stop being an outcast for at least one day.
"Midoriya," Fuyumi's voice rang out, and he flinched.
"Please repeat how the Third Outbreak of Quirk Conflicts began." He blushed slightly, feeling his classmates' eyes on him. Some smiled, some looked at him with contempt, as always.
"Um, I missed a paragraph. Can you repeat it again?" Fuyumi simply turned away from him, writing on the whiteboard with a marker and scolding her student at the same time.
"Sit down and listen carefully next time. Children, pay attention to today's paragraph, as today's topic may be on the exams." Sitting down in his seat, Izuku was immediately ashamed of his inattention. Although he was not the top student in the class, he was not the worst either.
"Don't distract me," he muttered quickly, while Venom laughed inside.
"Oh, yes, my great lord. Your humble symbiote dares not disobey the orders of the great master." Izuku rolled his eyes at his overly formal statement. Sometimes allowing Andy to browse the internet without restrictions, he came to the conclusion that the internet had a positive influence on him, except for his teasing on any occasion.
The lesson ended.
All the students in the class gathered their textbooks and put them in their backpacks. It was extremely warm outside, and it was a pleasure to spend time with friends. As all the students lazily made their way to the exit, the teacher got everyone's attention by tapping her pen on the desk and taking off her glasses.
"Attention, students. I know that at the end of your studies, you will have serious exams and graduation at the end of high school." After pausing, she focused her gaze on the slightly nervous students at the mention of the final exams, which were very strict in their system. The scores on these exams were not the most important in their careers, but they were of great significance for their future start. Many young people did not strive for high scores, which Fuyumi supported. For her, the knowledge she could impart was paramount, but competition often forced children to go against their desires to live for their own pleasure.
"To help you relax and cheer up a little, I'm organizing a cosplay party in honor of this." With a bright smile and eyebrows raised in delight, she received enthusiastic cheers and feedback from her students. They were all young and would soon take their first steps into adult life, filled with difficulties and disappointments.
Sometimes Fuyumi felt that school life was the best part of everyone's life. For her, school life was not the best part of her life — it all depended on luck. Some people were lucky, and some were not, so she wanted to add bright colors and good memories to the lives of every student.
"YAY!!!!" shouted all the students, including Izuku and Melissa. Fuyumi felt warmth in her chest and smiled warmly at them, giving them her sincere smile. Suddenly, one student stepped forward with a question for Fuyumi.
"Can we wear our favorite costumes?" Teacher Fuyumi was prepared for this kind of question.
"You can wear your favorite costumes, except for hero costumes. For girls, if they wear dresses or skirts, it is mandatory that they be just below the knee."
Some of the girls in the class groaned in disappointment, but they still smiled—everyone liked the idea of the party. The atmosphere in the classroom instantly became lighter and noisier. Even those who had looked sleepy a minute ago were now excitedly discussing what costumes they would wear.
"Maybe you could go as a wizard from some fantasy story?" Melissa whispered, turning to Izuku with a soft smile.
"A robe and staff would suit you. Mysterious and intelligent. It would match your... aura." Izuku froze for a second, not knowing how to react. His heart beat a little faster.
"Um... maybe..." he muttered, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Although he knew about this party before anyone else, he didn't have a costume ready.
"Mysterious, she says..." Venom chuckled inside, liking how she treated them with respect and friendliness.
"If only she knew how much."
"Well, what about you?" Izuku asked in response, trying to hide his excitement.
"Have you already decided what you're going to be?"
"I guess so. But it's a surprise," she winked and turned back to her notebook, making her final notes. She was clearly enjoying the moment, and more importantly, her mood was contagious. For the first time in a long time, Izuku felt like he wasn't an outsider. That he was just part of something normal.
After school.
The corridors were buzzing with voices. Students were discussing what they would wear and who they would go with. Some were already suggesting getting together and making team costumes. Izuku walked beside Melissa, feeling his steps become more confident with her by his side.
"Thank you..." he said unexpectedly.
"For what?" she asked, surprised. Having spent two years in Japan with her family, she hadn't heard much gratitude from her peers.
"For just... talking to me," he said almost in a whisper, as if afraid of saying too much.
"Not like I'm talking to someone strange." Melissa slowed her pace and looked at him more closely.
"It's silly that anyone would think you're strange. You're interesting, on the contrary. It's just that others are too afraid to be kind first." These words touched something deep inside him. He looked at her, not knowing what to say. He just nodded slightly and continued walking beside her.
They were being watched from afar.
A couple of guys from a parallel class were standing by the window, talking to each other.
"What, is she walking with him? With that Midoriya?"
"Pff. Looks like it. Apparently, foreign girls have their own standards."
"Or she feels sorry for him. Like, 'be nice to the outsider,' yeah."
"Come on, at least he doesn't act like a clown like some people. And she seems normal too. Maybe she just wants normal communication, not with these 'alpha males'."
The boy shrugged, and they both walked away, disappearing into the noise of the hallway.
After school.
Leaving the familiar school corridors behind, the air was filled with a sense of freedom and the absence of the worries of school routine. Izuku was used to leaving school alone, but in the company of his new friend, it was rather awkward, especially with a girl. Venom, on the other hand, whispered to him to be bolder in his desire to win the girl's trust.
Leaving the schoolyard, Melissa stopped, surprising Izuku. Her gaze was fixed somewhere in the distance of the city. Remembering her life before moving to Japan and what it was like at school, she shuddered at all the memories.
"Thank you, Izuku, for not letting them know about my quirkless." Without exhaling, he made a surprised face, which Venom commented on as a silly thing to do.
"You're a bad liar." Izuku wanted to speak, but Melissa interrupted him, her heart heavy with a burden she was trying to shake off.
"Come on, I'll show you something," she said, walking in a direction unknown to him.
"How did you know I was a quirkless?" Melissa's question was extremely sensitive. He couldn't tell her without exposing Fuyumi, so he searched through all his significant memories and found a very plausible answer.
"When I was four years old. Back in elementary school, we had to reveal our quirks. And when I had to reveal mine, all my peers laughed at me, and I became an outcast to them until now." Melissa listened and was moved by this. No one in Japan had ever truly opened up to her, especially given the growing discrimination she feared.
"I didn't want that story to repeat itself with you on the first day." Melissa stopped, her blue eyes fixed on Izuku. The wind ruffled her golden hair, and there was something strange in her gaze. Not gratitude. Not surprise.
"Do you... really think that?" she asked quietly. Izuku frowned at the girl's tone; all this time during the conversation, she had been leading them both in a direction unknown to him. He knew the city well from flying, but rarely descended to look at the streets.
"Yes... What's wrong?" She slowly shook her head, clutching the strap of her bag. Everything seemed truly new to her. The Unfancy often died young due to bullying from their peers, and those who lived to old age often remained alone their entire lives, despite the socialization laws that were passed after the war of the Unfancy.
"I've been in Japan for two years, but for some reason everyone thinks I just moved here. For two years, I went to school with regular Japanese people, and to be honest, I never met anyone else like me." Surprised by this, Izuku looked at the girl. She lowered her head, hiding her unpleasant memories of her bitter experience and move.
"I honestly don't think quirks are anything special. In America, discrimination based on quirks is considered a very serious crime. Although there are laws prohibiting discrimination here, in reality, that's not the case." Izuku swallowed hard at her words. Yes, he too had been a victim of discrimination based on quirks, but her story brought back negative memories associated with it.
"Don't be upset, now I've found a friend after such a long time." Replacing her sadness with joy, Melissa patted Izuku on the shoulder. Doubts arose in his mind and soul. His rational mind thought that she was friends with him out of pity for herself, and Izuku because of their simplicity, but his soul thought differently. With a naive childish dream of friendship, Izuku considered her his new friend.
On the road, Izuku was silent because he was lost in thought, but Melissa constantly found topics for conversation that were not boring. The street was busy, and among the crowd of workers were teenagers who, like them, were walking the streets in their school uniforms after class. In addition to civilians, heroes patrolling the streets also walked along the busy streets.
Like any other city, Mustafa had its own famous street, on par with Shibuya in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.
Akihara Street. One of the most densely populated and frequently visited tourist destinations in the entire city. The street was famous for its events and something unusual. High-rise buildings adorned an already not-so-quiet area of the city. At night, Akihara Street took on a whole new life with its special subculture.
Passing through the crowd, Izuku and Melissa tried not to get lost, walking through hundreds of people with identical briefcases and suits. On the day they met, there was a curious parade of half-naked people with intimidating tattoos on Akihara Street. The pair of schoolchildren paused to watch the strange spectacle along with the onlookers who had gathered to gawk at the curious crowd.
The Yakuza members were cordoned off by a metal fence, guarded by police and heroes to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent conflicts.
Melissa approached one of the informants who was involved in the event. A serious man with a grim expression, dressed exclusively in white, stood out against the backdrop of civilians and yakuza.
"Excuse me, what kind of festival is this?" He looked at Melissa with a serious expression and began to explain everything he knew in a stern voice.
"This is not a festival. This is a procession of yakuza members and a ceremonial commemoration of the death of our leader, who passed away two days ago. He is our father, and they are his children, and we honor all his efforts on this street so that everyone can see and know our customs. We are not villains, we preserve our honor and are ready to do anything to regain our honor, which was lost long ago with the advent of the whims." Watching their strange ritual, Izuku joined Melissa. Nothing foreshadowed trouble. It was a business district and a popular place for all kinds of festivals and parades.
"Shield-san, where are we going?" Izuku's teenage nature was eager to know his new friend's intentions, but she kept it a secret, hiding something from him.
"I'll show you something, don't fall behind," she said cheerfully, quickening her pace. Izuku rushed after her, bumping into people along the way, hearing grumbles from many.
"It's like a scene from an old fairy tale, where the prince can't catch up with the princess." Rolling his eyes at the pop culture reference, Izuku followed Melissa. Passing by a crowd of people, they left Akihara Street, finally giving their ears a break from the noisy crowd.
Coming out onto a normal street with residential buildings and lots of shops, Izuku theorised about where they were going as he followed Melissa. The Hori district was not far from Akihara Street, but for some strange reason, it had not fallen victim to its neighbour. It was a quiet and peaceful area where people traded their goods and cars rarely drove through the streets, preserving the peace and quiet of the residents.
Shops and stalls were not unusual on this street. Human nature is such that it has been engaged in trade since time immemorial. Trade is one of the most important indicators of a people's cultural level. If trade relations occupy a prominent place in their daily life, then the overall cultural level is high — and vice versa. Even after many centuries, trade remained in people's minds, despite the emergence of new pursuits.
"We're here," Melissa said, stopping. Finally catching up with her, Izuku assessed the place: a two-story white building with lots of panoramic windows. Behind the shop windows were cosy sofas and beautifully decorated tables. Noteworthy was the bright sign above the door, characteristic of Japan and its culture: The Chocolate Needle.
"Space Needle... Seattle...?" flashed through his mind. Venom immediately picked up on his host's thoughts, beginning to list all the information he had read on the internet about the city: from films and literature to architecture that was more futuristic than half of Japan.
"Is this... yours?" he asked, turning to Melissa. It was 7:18 p.m. outside, and the orange sun began to illuminate the streets, warming them with its heat like the gentle embrace of a loved one. She smiled, and her eyes flashed with the same spark he had noticed in class — a mixture of pride and mystery.
"Not exactly. But this place is connected to my family. Come in." The door opened with a soft jingle of a bell. Inside, it smelled of cocoa, vanilla, and something else — warm and cosy, like homemade baked goods. The interior combined Western minimalism with Japanese neatness: wooden tables, soft loft-style sofas, and old black-and-white photographs of Seattle on the walls. His ears caught the sound of old music from vinyl records. The warm and cosy atmosphere beckoned him to stay, sipping a hot drink with some sweet pastries.
"Is this... a café?" Izuku looked around, mesmerised. His nose caught the sweet smell of cinnamon, which drove Venom crazy. He liked the smell of this place, and he definitely liked the way they served chocolate here. Hundreds of desserts were on display in the windows, from white chocolate with strawberry glaze to unusually decorated cakes.
"Chocolate shop, or we just make chocolate according to a family recipe," Melissa corrected, leading him to the counter. Following her, Izuku's gaze caught the modern equipment, but instead of automation, many things were done by hand, which spoke volumes. From the used plastic bags to the bowls filled with thick black chocolate that smelled fresh.
"They make chocolate by hand here. And not just bars — real desserts that used to be made only in our family café in Seattle." Behind the counter stood a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes in a white apron stained with chocolate drops. His face remained impassive, but his eyes softened when he noticed Melissa.
"Oh, you brought a guest." By maintaining the tradition of welcoming every visitor as if they were at home, this establishment has earned a reputation as a friendly place.
"Yes, Father. This is my new classmate." Izuku extended his hand for a handshake. David looked at him and recognised him as the boy from the news who had recklessly rushed to save a man from a villain.
"Nice to meet you, young man. Call me David." Smiling warmly, David shook his hand before suddenly letting go when he heard the sound of chocolate being ready.
"Um, Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you." After exchanging a few words with his father, Melissa led Izuku to the second floor, where members of the family were allowed to go.
The door opened in front of them, revealing the white walls of the laboratory and bright lights. If the lower floor was a café, the upper floor resembled a scientist-confectioner's workshop. There were tables with test tubes, thermometers, and strange devices that Izuku had only seen in the laboratories of heroes.
"We're experimenting," Melissa explained as she gave them a tour. There were labels with different fillings and additives for chocolate. Looking at all the equipment, Izuku got the feeling that this family was clearly quite wealthy if they could afford such equipment.
"Chocolate isn't just a sweet treat. It can be... special. Here, we experiment with flavours and the chocolate itself. Although my father prefers manual labour, he doesn't shy away from experimentation." She walked over to the refrigerator and took out a small chocolate treat that resembled a ball covered in breadcrumbs.
"Very interesting." Curiosity got the better of him, and he began to examine the treat Melissa had shown him.
"This is an experimental treat. It combines bitter, milky and porous chocolate with a surprise inside."
"Can I try it?" Venom insisted. All he had ever tried was chocolate bars from the shop, and this was something new compared to the bland and familiar chocolate.
Taking the treat from her hand, Izuku took a careful bite and felt his taste buds dance on his tongue, filling with flavour. The taste of the chocolate was exactly as gourmets describe it, but the sweetest part was in the middle, when thick white syrup flowed straight into his mouth, creating bliss.
Venom liked the treat so much that he didn't let her enjoy it and, taking control, quickly ate it, surprising and delighting Melissa. After greedily eating the treat, Izuku looked guiltily at the girl, who was smiling at him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't understand how it happened. But if I could rate this treat, I would give it 20 out of 10." Melissa laughed as she looked at his guilty but at the same time joyful face. Compared to the other people she had interacted with in Japan, he was the most sincere, even when he looked guilty. She had always liked that quality in people — no lies or hypocrisy.
"Thank you for such a high evaluation, Midoriya-san. It was an experimental sample. It still has to go through other stages, such as sweetness level and storage and cooking process. As soon as my father says 'yes', it will go on sale." Listening to Melissa's speech, the Venom inside Izuku was glad to hear that this delicacy might make it onto the shelves of this café. Continuing to listen to the blonde, Izuku noticed that this was not the only sample of chocolate. Recipes, moulds, and cooking times were listed on the tables and on the board. This truly inspired Izuku, as her dedication to her craft earned his respect.
"That's really cool, Shield-san. Are you really doing this all by yourself, creating new desserts?" Izuku couldn't hide his admiration and started babbling so fast that even she couldn't process the information. She was just like him, passionate about heroes and putting her whole heart into her work, cherishing what she did.
"Not exactly. I develop new desserts with my mother's help, and here she is." A tall, slender woman with short, sunny yellow hair came out of the door. Her clothes were casual and completely out of place in the laboratory atmosphere. Her blue eyes and tall stature had been passed down to her daughter, who looked just like her mother.
The most striking thing was that, upon seeing Izuku, she immediately welcomed her daughter's new friend.
"Oh, look at our little charmer. You're my daughter's new classmate, right?" She approached him and began stroking his hair, surprising him and making him blush even more. His mother was known for her energy, which was inherent in her kind nature. Many considered her cold, but at home she behaved completely differently.
Izuku froze, feeling his cheeks flush under Mrs. Shield's maternal embrace. Her hands smelled of cinnamon and something else — something warm, like fresh bread.
"Ma-a-a-am!" Melissa moaned, grabbing her sleeve. Sometimes it was difficult to restrain herself, because she loved children deeply and cared for them. For as long as she could remember, children had been the purest and most sincere beings on the planet for her. And the fact that Melissa had found a friend who did not look down on her innocence was a miracle comparable to the appearance of a parade of planets.
"You're going to scare him away!" Melissa exclaimed, almost shouting, as she held her mother back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. My name is Teresa Shield, nice to meet you." The woman stepped back, but her eyes were shining.
"It's just that Melissa so rarely brings friends over..." Having been in Japan for two and a half years, she hadn't found a single friend with whom she could communicate as easily as she did with Izuku.
*"Friends,"* echoed in Izuku's head. The word burned more than any of Venom's blows.
"I... um..." He stumbled hopelessly, but then Venom decided to "help."
*"Say that her daughter smells like vanilla and that you dream of becoming his best friend. Yeah, yeah, that's it!"*
"SHUT UP!" Izuku barked mentally, causing the symbiote to giggle at its embarrassed host. Melissa smiled slightly at Izuku's funny look, but behind that smile lay many years of hurt and disappointment.
Izuk bowed to the matriarch of the Shield family, smiling. The woman found this gesture amusing and stroked his fluffy hair.
"I can smell cinnamon on her hands." Despite his alien nature, he could smell thanks to his host's respiratory organs, literally becoming one with his host.
"Midoriya, if you don't mind, you can stay with us for a family dinner. Today we are celebrating the anniversary of our move. And at this dinner, we hope to get to know you better." Izuku did not refuse a hearty dinner, and in order to learn more about Melissa, he agreed.
"I would be delighted to accept your offer, Shield-san." The overly formal statement amused the two women standing in front of him. Melissa approached him and whispered in his ear.
"You don't have to be so formal. Make yourself at home." Taking her hand away from his ear, she called him to follow her to another room. Stunned, Izuku didn't understand how he had ended up here. It seemed like it had been a normal school day, and now he was in the house of a new girl from his class. Unaccustomed to such a reception, Izuku was too cautious in his words so as not to spoil the impression he had made.
**Dinner**
The smell of grilled salmon with maple syrup mingled with the aroma of freshly baked bread. Izuku sat at a huge oak table, feeling both awkward and... cosy, like he was at home. He hadn't felt this way since his childhood dinners with his mother. There were many hot drinks, from cocoa to hot chocolate, which attracted Venom. Izuku kept trying to restrain him so that he wouldn't pounce on the food.
"So you're from Mustafa?" David poured Izuku a glass of hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows.
"It's... interesting here. Especially the heroes," David said. He was an ordinary man without any quirks, just like his family. He wasn't very interested in heroes and, as a representative of the older generation, saw them as guardians of law and order. He had also encountered heroes in America, but there were many more of them in Japan.
"Yes, yes!" Teresa placed a large roasted turkey on the table.
"We saw on TV how that giant guy with the ridiculous hairstyle caught ATM thieves last month!"
"All... All Might," Izuku choked, imagining the Shield family watching reports about All Might.
"You know, I've seen you somewhere before. Aren't you the guy who saved that girl from the dirty villain?" Melissa stopped eating, and the whole family of three turned their attention to Izuku. He panicked as his gaze darted around the table. The incident with the dirty villain was not the most pleasant moment in his life.
"Yes, that was me," he replied, rubbing the back of his head and laughing awkwardly, but he earned the family's respect. While Izuku recounted the details from his own perspective, Melissa looked at her first friend with interest.
"Oh, kid, I'm sorry we had to bring this up. We thought everyone would appreciate your actions. We understand that it's difficult to be alone right now, and that's why we have to support each other." Izuku felt his throat tighten. His eyes involuntarily dropped to his plate, where the golden glaze on the turkey suddenly seemed too bright, almost poisonous.
"Thank you, Teresa-san, this means a lot to me." With a kind smile, she leaned down to kiss her husband and daughter's faces in gratitude to fate.
"Tell us where you plan to go after school. You and my daughter are the same age, and soon you will take your first step into adulthood." Everyone began to eat, seemingly oblivious to the negativity outside the house, but the question remained unanswered. Out of respect for their guest, no one dared to break the silence while he pondered his response.
"What should I say, Andy?" Afraid of being misunderstood and ridiculed, he didn't know who to turn to except his alien friend.
"Be honest, as always, don't hide your dreams and aspirations from them." The simple answer, like a heavy shell, prevented him from saying it. Overcoming his fear of being misunderstood and gathering all his courage, he finally spoke his plans.
"I want to enrol in the UA's hero faculty." All the family members turned their attention to him. Becoming a hero was not surprising for young people, given the vivid images they had been taught since childhood. But for David, as for many adults, it was incomprehensible why one could not become a hero without vivid images. Exhaling, he stopped eating and looked at the guest and his daughter, who were sitting directly opposite him.
"About UA? My daughter wants to go there too. I think all young people want to go there." Izuku was surprised by this. Melissa hadn't said she was going to become a hero. Turning his head, Izuku saw Melissa's blushing face.
"That's great news! You'll graduate from school together and enrol at UA together, so you'll be classmates. How lovely!" The mother of the family hugged them both, leaving them in an awkward position. The happy news was interrupted by the father of the family, who had doubts about the boy's abilities.
"Are you sure you want to become a hero? I am, of course, sure that anything can be achieved with perseverance, but in the history of a quirk era, there were no heroes without quirks." Everyone looked at Izuku. He had expected such words from people. After All Might's words, it was not surprising to hear such words from others. He had the support of his friend, and he didn't care that he had cheated by hiding his powers. If he wanted to become a hero, he would become one.
"For example, our daughter is going to enrol in a business course at UA. It requires brains and analytical skills, but a hero must have a quirk. How are you going to win if they are 1.5 or 3 times stronger than you? Even with the weakest quirk, they will be stronger than you." Venom felt a parallel with his idol. The situation was similar, but the approach was different. He was curious how he could become a hero when his idol didn't care about him.
"Dad, don't say that. How do you know he won't succeed?" Izuku was surprised by Melissa's words. She stood up for him, defending not only him but also the dream he cherished in his heart.
"I'm not belittling him. I'm very curious to see how he will defeat opponents stronger than himself." The spoon in Izuku's hand trembled, leaving small drops of chocolate on the tablecloth. He felt Venom tense up inside him, ready to take control at any moment.
"I... I can't reveal all the details," Izuku began cautiously, choosing his words carefully. Extremely nervous, he wanted to get up and leave, but out of respect for them, he decided to reveal his analysis to them.
"But I have... a method. A way to compensate for the lack of quirks." David raised an eyebrow, pushing his plate aside. His blue eyes studied Izuku with new interest. As far as he could remember, none of the quirk-less wanted to become heroes except this young man. He could clearly see the fire and determination in his eyes, even though it was carefully hidden from others.
"Method? That sounds mysterious." Teresa suddenly clapped her hands, making everyone jump. Her extreme enthusiasm for unconventional methods had been extremely helpful in starting their family business.
"Oh! Maybe it's something like the rat man technique from the comics before the quirk era? He defeated stronger opponents with his mind and training! There's another person with an advanced suit." Melissa secretly touched Izuku's hand under the table. Her fingers were surprisingly warm. From her sudden touch, Izuku felt a warmth in his body that Venom had felt.
"I believe you can become a hero," she whispered so quietly that only he could hear. Venom hummed approvingly.
*"Finally, some sane people. Although the old man still has his doubts."*
"You see," Izuku took a deep breath, "I've spent years analysing the quirks of heroes and villains. Every ability has its weaknesses. Even All Might..." He fell silent, realising he had gone too far. But David suddenly leaned forward with interest.
"Do you study heroes on a structural level? How do their quirks work from a physiological point of view?" — Coming from one of the most advanced states, David had always been interested in science and the scientific method, but in his experience, he lacked the time and energy to pursue a career in science.
"Um... yes and no. I analyse their attacks and the weaknesses of their quirks." Izuku was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. To his surprise, David laughed and slapped his hand on the table.
"Excellent! Finally, someone who thinks scientifically instead of relying on blind faith in their abilities!" Teresa looked at her husband in surprise.
"Darling, but you always..."
"I am against thoughtless heroism," David corrected her. "But a strategic approach? Analysing weaknesses? That's... that's worthy of respect."
Dinner was accompanied by Melissa's mother's cheerful jokes and David's interesting stories. Izuku was glad that one of his new friends had such a caring and kind family. Through the laughter and joy, deep down he felt longing and envy. Like everyone else, he wanted a caring mother and a father who would stand by him and support him. But the worst thing was when the conversation turned to his family.
"Great, maybe you'll invite your parents to our table sometime? We'd love to meet your parents." The smile on Izuku's face faded. He fell silent instantly, and his hand began to shake, which Melissa noticed.
"Midoriya?" He paid no attention to her, only lowering his gaze to the floor.
"Are you okay?" David became concerned for the young man. His wife sometimes forgot that there were certain taboo topics at the table, but the guest had strangely fallen silent at the mention of his parents.
"My mother died in an alley. And my father... I don't know where he is. He just sends money, I haven't seen him since I was two years old." Melissa gasped at what she heard. That's why he looked nervous during the whole feast. Her mother immediately got up to hug the guest.
Izuk widened his eyes at the new embrace. Why were they so kind to him? Was it all out of pity? Did they see him as a martyr?
"Forgive me, my boy. It's terrible to lose your mother at such a young age." Surrendering to the embrace, Izuku hugged her back, absorbing the warmth she gave him. Her embrace was like his mother's — just as warm, caring, and sincere.
"I don't understand what kind of father abandons his child and does everything he can to avoid seeing his child. It's disgusting," the father of the family waited for a response. For him, such behaviour was repulsive; it was cowardice that he refused to accept. David's gaze was not judgemental — rather, it was concerned. He didn't want to offend the boy; he just... wanted to understand. As a father, as a man who had seen time and again how cruel this world could be.
Izuku froze for a second. His palms clenched into fists under the table, his nails digging into his skin. Somewhere inside, Venom was already grumbling, but he didn't speak now. He sensed that this moment was important to his host.
"I understand that it sounds... like a dream," Izuku began, trying to speak calmly.
"Even though I have no support, I want to give people hope and prove not only to myself but also to my loved ones that I am worthy of something."
"But I believe that being a hero is not just about whimsy. It's about choice. It's about standing up when no one else wants to. To help, even if you know you'll lose. I'm not saying it will be easy for me. It's not easy for me now. But... I won't back down." He raised his head and met David's gaze. Izuku's words were inspiring, but so far he had seen no proof other than that reckless rescue.
"I don't need a reason to be a hero. I need an opportunity. And I won't let it slip away." Silence hung in the room. Only the clock on the wall ticked away the seconds. Teresa pressed her hand to her chest, as if something had stirred in her heart. Melissa — for the first time during the entire dinner — did not smile. She looked at him seriously, with respect... and with a slight sadness, as if she saw how much pain was hidden behind his words.
"Well," David finally said, unable to resist a slight smile, "if you really think so... then maybe you are that rare person who can make a difference." He reached across the table.
"Good luck, Midoriya. We like you. And if you ever need support, don't hesitate. We're here." Izuku shook his hand. Firmly. Like a man to a man.
Venom was silent, but inside Izuku could feel the symbiote... proud. It was a strange, warm feeling — to be recognised not for his strength, but for his will.
After dinner, Teresa insisted that Izuku take a box of chocolate samples with him "in case you get hungry after you get home." Melissa walked him to the door, their footsteps echoing hollowly down the hallway.
"Hey," she said as he was putting on his shoes, "you know... if you want, we can study for the entrance exam together. We have plenty of materials at home. And... I'd love to work and study with you." He looked at her — not as just a classmate, but as someone who, for the first time in a long time, had reached out to him without fear, without judgement... with understanding.
"Thank you. It's important to me too," he replied. "See you at school?"
"See you," she nodded, and something warm flashed in her eyes.
When he stepped outside, the cool evening air hit his face. But inside, he felt warm. Very warm.
"We like them," Venom said quietly.
"Me too..." Izuku smiled faintly, clutching the box of chocolates in his hands.
It was the first evening in a long time when he felt like he wasn't an outsider, but part of something bigger.
Part of a family.
"I think she'll take a new place in our hearts," Izuku chuckled quietly at Venom's statement. A family of ordinary people who had accepted him as one of their own on the first day they met.
"Maybe that's what Fuyumi meant about friends?"