Izuku was pacing nervously around his room. What if he didn't get into UA this time? It was a very pressing concern, especially since his main hope was all his classmates reuniting at UA. Not only that but what if he met the former heroes at UA? He really wanted to meet them and see where they are now.

(But then a part of him doesn't want to meet them because it reminded him of how much of a villain this society is.)

He had Present Mic's autograph. Midoriya flicked through his notebook which had nearly all the other pages labeled with as many heroes as he could remember. It was time to get the other ones.

~~~

He didn't expect to meet Shimura Nana. Not at all. Midoriya didn't remember her hero name, but he knew how she looked like from memory.

(Ever since he had searched up all the users of One for All, Izuku memorized them easily.)

When Izuku saw that she was carrying a bit too many groceries, he obviously went to help her. "Hey, do you need help, miss?"

"That'd be greatly appreciated," Shimura replied, smiling faintly. "What's your name, oh great helper?"

"O-oh, I'm Midoriya Izuku! It's nice to meet you. What's your name?"

"Shimura Nana."

"Shimura Nana? I feel like I've heard your name before..." Izuku trailed off.

"Ah, it must've been back in my old career," Shimura said, "I didn't have a codename, so I used my real name instead. Thought it would help people be more connected with me..."

"You're that Shimura Nana."

Shimura was ready for the yelling, for the fact that she was a total dunce to give All Might One for All.

"I look up to you, Shimura-san," Izuku smiled, "You're really kind."

That was a first for Shimura. "Really? I was really stupid back then..."

Midoriya enlightened her with the fact that he knew what she was talking about, "It was a mere mistake, Shimura-san. I would've done the same in your shoes."

"You, you would've too?" Shimura had never seen as much sympathy or empathy in someone's eyes as she gazed at Izuku's bright green ones.

"Of course I would've," Izuku said, "Your quirk slowly destroyed your body because of the power, right? I would've looked for a successor."

"Yeah but, would you have given it to him?"

(In another world, yes, Izuku would respond, obviously.)

"If he showed compassion and the true inner workings of a hero," Midoriya said. They kept walking, leaving Shimura to wonder about Midoriya's words. "It's not like you knew he'd take a dramatic psychological turn. He was someone who earned your trust, and it probably took years to do that, didn't it, Shimura-san?"

Just how wise was this kid? Shimura found herself wondering. "But maybe if I looked harder, maybe if I saw the signs—"

"Don't blame yourself for a villain's actions, Shimura-san," Midoriya quoted something that Gran Torino had said to him.

Shimura's eyes widened, "You- you know him?"

"I'm merely a fan of heroes, Shimura-san."

Shimura smiled, "A hero fan in this day and age?"

"It's a shame they had to go away," Izuku said, "I really looked up to them."

"Even me?"

"Especially you. You were a true, good hero. Society didn't deserve what All Might did," Midoriya smiled, "And even with just the embers of One for All, you tried to stop him. Shimura-san, you're a true hero."

Shimura was surprised, she was pleased, heck, she was grateful. "I'm sure you would've made a great hero, Midoriya."

Izuku beamed.

~~~

"I got into UA!" Kaminari cheered.

"Me too!" Hatsume chirped.

"Don't forget me, nerds," Katsuki said.

They turned expectantly towards Izuku, who said something that they never thought they'd hear.

"I..."

"...got into the hero course?"

Kaminari gaped, "Wait, what?"

"A hero course?! You're lying, Deku."

Even Hatsume was surprised, and she knew everything there was to know about UA. "There's still a hero course?"

Heck, even Izuku was stuck in disbelief. There's a hero course. And I got recommended in by, Present Mic and... Shimura Nana?! "Oh my god. There's an actual hero course."

They didn't believe it, and honestly, neither did Izuku.

~~~

Izuku was ecstatic until he went to his first day at UA. He was the only one in the classroom. He looked around, "Where's everyone else?"

"Nowhere, Midoriya, it's just you," A voice that sent chills up Midoriya's spine replied.

"All For One..."

"Sit down, Midoriya," A smile laid on All For One's features, "we're starting class."

When Izuku sat down, All For One started explaining things. "I know you have a quirk, Midoriya. But it's not one that I can take, is it?"

Horror dawned on Midoriya's face. "However, I decided to morph you into a hero, of course, UA agreed to this. So, Midoriya Izuku, would you like to be my successor?"

('So Izuku Midoriya, would you like to be the next holder of One for All?')

Izuku hesitated. He was scared, greatly so. I... I have a chance to be a hero, but do I really want it to be because of my quirk only? "I- why'd you pick me?"

"My, you have the perfect quirk Midoriya. Plus-"

"My quirk isn't everything," Midoriya frowned, "I don't want to be judged just because of it. I have so many friends that are amazing, and they either hated or loved their quirks because they were judged because of it. I don't want to hate my quirk because people do, or love it because other people do. I want to be a hero for my personality, not my quirk."

All For One frowned, "I don't understand."

"I want to be a true hero, All For One. I want to be someone people looked up to. If I'm going to be in UA's hero course, I want to be exactly like the heroes they trained."

"That's, that's too dangerous, Midoriya."

"I know. I know it is. But that's all I've ever wanted to be, a hero."

All For One frowned, "But that's irrational."

"I guess I'm irrational too," Midoriya replied.

All For One shook his head, "let's start from the beginning again. Maybe you'll make more sense if I know you better."

Izuku merely smiled, not letting his frustrations out. What more is there to understand? "Okay. I'm Midoriya Izuku. I came from the middle school, Aldera."

"What do you like to do?"

"Study."

"That's all?"

"I like helping a few people here and there," Izuku replied. "Like helping my neighbors or my dad with the chores, helping my friends with their homework, that kind of stuff."

"Why?"

"Well there's nothing else to do, and I just like it."

This boy... Is confusing. "What do you like to study?"

Midoriya hummed, "If I gave you the answer, would you like it?"

All For One stared, "Depends on the answer."

"I like studying quirks."

All For One's lips pressed into a thin line, "You're very strange, Midoriya. If other people heard you, they'd think you're a villain in the making."

"It's villainous to want to get people to love themselves completely, even with quirks?" Midoriya asked.

"Your view of heroism is very... Warped."

Midoriya frowned, "Not really. Just because I have different views, doesn't mean it's warped. Quirks aren't bad, it's the person who uses them."

"Yes, perhaps, but with quirks out of the way, everyone is safe."

"They're safe, but not happy." Midoriya said, "Many other issues have risen up since you deleted quirks."

"As I said, your perception is very warped."

"No, you're just used to one way of thinking. You make everyone think that same way. What's with all of this propaganda, All For One? Aren't you a hero, All For One?"

All For One was in awe of the child in front of him, but also very frustrated. "Of course I'm a hero."

"You don't seem like one."

"What do I seem like?"

"A villain. You did all of this for a twisted goal, you made nearly everyone unhappy."

"There are always going to be unhappy people."

"But it's an issue when you make the majority unhappy. Your views are different from everyone's but you never tried to view their way of looking at the world. You tried to change theirs instead. The truth is, no one else will ever perceive the world like you. Your perception is your reality, your perception isn't the reality." Izuku took satisfaction in staring at the stunned face of All For One. "To me, that makes you a villain."

"So is All Might the hero?"

"No, he's a villain too."

"Then we're on the same side?"

"It seems so."

"You... You're very interesting, Midoriya Izuku. I think I understand now." All For One said, "But then, I think I don't. We have such contrasting views, Midoriya. I look forward to teaching you the ways of a hero."

Midoriya merely smiled, "And I look forward to learning them."

~~~

After all that, Izuku had a feeling that he knew All For One slightly better. But Izuku couldn't shake the feeling that he misunderstood All For One. Maybe he didn't mean for everyone to be unhappy? Maybe I just happened? Maybe... He isn't a villain? Midoriya had his doubts, the conversation from earlier was weighing heavily in his mind.

"Hey, are you okay? You're about to be late for class." Izuku froze at the voice. He turned around and was shocked to see Toshinori Yagi standing there.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine, I better uh- get heading to class now," Izuku hated to pitiful and shaky his voice sounded. He really didn't want to see Yagi right now.

"What class are you heading to?"

"Mi- I mean, Yamada-sensei's class," Izuku replied, "I should g-get going."

"Of course, have a nice day."

With a small squeak of 'you too' Izuku nearly ran away. Once he stepped inside Present Mic's class, he felt overwhelmed with relief. The bell rang soon after his first step. Izuku quickly made it to his seat as Mic started the class. Mic cleared up a few things.

"So recently, UA decided to revive a dead course," Present Mic said, "I hope you remember the hero course."

The kids in the classroom gasped in unison, while Midoriya just sighed.

"We're looking for potential heroes, do you think you have what it takes to be like All For One? We'll find out this year! Any questions?"

"Why did they revive the hero course?"

"Recently, All For One realized he can't stop All Might on his own," Present Mic said, "The truth is, All Might's getting stronger and needs some helpers! Those helpers are going to be you, little listeners!"

The children stared in amazement. "Do you best to become heroes!"

("Plus Ultra!")

Present Mic then directed the attention of the class somewhere else, "So today, we'll be going over the rules..."

~~~

Midoriya's day was insane, but it's not even half of it. It's lunchtime, and he's pleasantly surprised to see a lot of his friends got into UA.

"Ashido, is that Midoriya?"

"Oh, it is, Hagakure!"

"Nerd, you know them?" Katsuki asked.

Izuku brightened up, "Yeah! Hi Hagakure, Ashido!" Midoriya waved at them, "Come sit here!"

They took the invitation with smiles.

"So, Midori, who's he?" Ashido asked, pointing at Bakugo.

"Nerd, Kaminari's coming," Bakugo, as usual, ignored Ashido.

Bakugo may be calmer here but... He's still Bakugo. "Ah, he's Bakugo Katsuki, and the person coming over here is Kaminari Denki!" Kaminari joined the group right when Midoriya introduced him, which was perfect timing.

"Oh, nice to meet you!" Ashido chirped, "I'm Ashido Mina and this is my best friend, Hagakure Toru!"

"Nice to meet you guys!"

"Um, excuse me?" A timid brunette said.

"Oh, Uraraka!" Midoriya smiled, "Guys this is Uraraka Ochako!"

"N-nice to meet you," Uraraka sat next to Ashido.

"My, my, Midori, you sure have a lot of friends!" Ashido said, "Did you get them from the park?"

"Oh, you came from the park too?" Uraraka asked.

"The park? What's that?" Kaminari asked.

"Well, Midori all met us at the park nearby Aldera Middle School!" Hagakure said, "He helped us and stuff and then we became friends!"

Now that Katsuki thinks about it... He also met Izuku at the park, didn't he? "That's really weird."

Izuku sweatdropped, "I guess the park is a people-magnet."

"Oh my god, I also met Midori at the park," Kaminari realized. "The only one left is Bakugo! Baku, did you meet Midori at the park?"

"Surprisingly, yeah," Bakugo said, "My mom took me to the park when I was 5 but then I fell into a river and Deku helped me."

Midoriya sweatdropped, "I mean the park is popular so it's not surprising..."

"Who else did you meet from the park?" Uraraka asked.

Midoriya hummed, "A lot of people. I think they might be at UA. The only one I remember that directly stated they'd be here was Yaoyorozu-san."

"Yaoyorozu? From Yao&Co?" Kaminari stared at Izuku, "How do you meet so many people?"

"Well uh- I don't know?"

"Yaoyorozu-san is so pretty though, I'm jealous," Hagakure stated.

For someone who's quirk is invisibility... Hagakure really cares about appearances. Midoriya thought.

"Ah, you're pretty too though," Kaminari said, "It's not fair, literally everyone I'm surrounding myself with is pretty."

"Did you-" Midoriya started laughing, "-just imply that K-Kacchan is p-pretty?"

Realization dawned on everyone. Then it was silent before Katsuki barked, "Sh*tty nerd, what did you just say?"

"Ahahahaha-" Ashido started laughing, "H-he said you're pretty!"

"I mean like, he ain't wrong," Hagakure said.

"What did you just say?!"

Izuku loved moments like these.