Chapter Text
“Class we have a new transfer student!” the teacher smiled, it would have looked comforting if not for the fact that the smile didn’t reach his eyes- it never did. Not for anyone stuck in this place.
The class burst into excited chatter-
“New?”
“Is it a girl? PLEASE LET IT BE A GIRL!!” “A HOT GIRL” “AMEN”
“Who’d even want to transfer to this shithole?!”
“WHAT ABOUT A HOT BOY?”
“ALL OF YOU EXTRAS SHUT UP! 💥💥💥”
Izuku kept to himself, he knew better than to draw attention to himself by now. The sound of explosions ringed in his ears, even through the chatter.
“Alright Class settle down! Don’t scare him off before he even gets here!”
“OOOO” “OH SO ITS A HIM??”
“A little too late to scare me off, friend!” A cheerful voice laughed. The transfer student seemed different from everyone else here- is different from everyone else here. He wasn’t Japanese, for one. His hair was orange and his eyes were blue. Even his voice had a weird lit to it from his accent. His writing was no different even as he wrote his name onto the chalkboard. “Hello, comrades! I’m Childe Aleksei! I’m a foreign exchange student!”
Oh, Izuku could place the accent now- it was Russian.
There was no way for the teacher to stop the class from breaking out into excited chatter and quirks this time. Fugaku-kun was pulling out his eyeballs, Hibiki-chan was waving around her hand on fire, Kacchan was a second away from blowing up but thats unrelated to anything going on in class.
Using their quirks as a show of their emotions was practically engrained in everyone here by now. It was basically a right of passage for every elementary schooler. (One Izuku tried not to think about)
Their teacher just sighed. He does not get paid enough for this.
Childe’s lips pursed as his classmates played with their quirks, “Isn’t it illegal to use your quirk in public?”
Their teacher seemed a bit confused about why he’d ask that question.
“Nobody actually cares about that extra!!”
“It’s like jaywalking!” Kacchan’s posee laughed but Izuku could only hear Kacchan’s explosions ringing in his ears.
Izuku’s body instinctively flinched and he curled into himself before he remembered. He tried to force his head up to look at something but not at Kacchan because he always got mad when he looked down, but he also got mad when they locked eyes- which is fine! Izuku needs to learn how to do both anyways.
Childe’s lips twitched downwards for a moment, his smile screamed in the same tired way Mom’s did while talking to her ex-boss.
Izuku locked eyes with the new boy.
Eek! Izuku quickly looked away. Why was Childe looking at him, anyways!!
Izuku stared at the classroom. The desks were stained with Sharpie, the chairs creaked every time you moved and every corner of this school had some kind of grime in the corners. The teacher’s desk was chipped. The chalkboard cried as it was used. Nothing in this place was perfect, nothing was good, except Kacchan.
Most people here were of a certain class, Izuku’s mom was a single parent, and Ikeda’s parents went bankrupt. Nobody is quite sure why Kacchan went to public school instead of a fancy private one- Izuku thinks it was so they’d be together- at least it was at some point. He’s not really sure if they’re still friends.
Maybe he’s just new, it’s probably too soon to judge but Childe doesn’t seem like he belongs here either.
“Childe, why don’t you take the free seat in the back?”
Oh, All Might, that’s the seat from when Himura dropped out- BESIDE HIM!!!
“Okay, now actually settle down! We have important things to study today!”
The class booed.
“It’s for your future you brats!”
-
“Psst Greenie*1-”
(* Childe is literally saying Midori meaning green as a nickname but it felt too similar to his actual name to make the joke make sense so i translated it)
Izuku looked up from his furious note-writing in class. He had to be smarter than everyone else to be a hero- he had to work harder than everyone else to be a hero. He’ll never be as smart as Kacchan- he’s number 1 in class markings!- so he makes sure to study twice as hard! Including super in-depth notes.
He wasn’t mumbling again, was he? He hoped not- not only would that be a super embarrassing introduction but he’s been trying (unsuccessfully) to curb that habit!
“Can I see your notes? The Prof’s speaking a bit too fast for me,” Childe rubbed the back of his head in an embarrassed gesture, “I have no clue how you’re writing that fast.”
Izuku nodded and wordlessly pushed his notebook closer to Childe.
“Thanks, comrade! You’re a lifesaver” Childe nearly sighed in relief.
-
The bell for their break between classes rang and soon Childe was surrounded by their classmates.
“So where are you from Childe-kun?” Nakamura-chan asked, giggling.
“And why did you come here of all places!!?” Watanabe-kun pushed Nakamura-chan’s face away.
Childe smiled politely, “I’m from a bit away- and well, Mufatsu Middle School was the closest to my Ma- Mom’s place!”
“Ooooh! Did you recently move?” Hibiki-chan butt in before Nakamura could. Nakamura shoved her in retaliation and they both giggled.
“You could say that!”
“That’s so cool!”
“Do you have anyone’s number yet?-” “NAKAMURA-CHAN YOU BITCH-”
“What’s your favorite place in Mufatsu!?”
“Are you from the poor side or the rich side?!” Ogawa-kun asked from across the room, “I’m gonna be rich and get out of this place someday! Just so, you know in advance.”
Kazuma-kun groaned and elbowed Ogawa, “You don’t have to say that to everyone you meet!”
“I kinda do!”
Ibiki-kun laughed and threw an arm around Ogawa, “Dude you’re so stupid!”
“AM NOT!”
“GUYS SHUT UP I WANT AN ANSWER!” Asano-chan yelled and sicced Nakamura on the boys.
“Soooo,” Asano slid her chair closer to Childe, “Any places you like yet?”
“Hmmm, I haven’t been to enough places yet to make a solid decision so far- but I like this homely therapy cat cafe I stopped by!”
That startled Izuku out of his furious writing- he had been catching up on an All Might fight he missed and analyzing it- but the only one in Mufatstu was a semi underground hero one? Is he a hero super fan (read: stalker) too!? Maybe he came to Japan to go to UA!! Izuku nodded to himself, satisfied with this conclusion. Everyone wants to go to UA after all! All Might is even the no 1 in the International level! Even if he’s been sticking to Japan for the last few years!
“Which one? Where? Is it new I haven’t heard of it!”
Childe startled, “Ahaha, must be new or something! That would explain all the older people!”
“I don’t think you know how cafes work Childe-kun.”
Childe laughed awkwardly.
“Oh- oh, have you been to the aquarium?” Hibiki asked happily.
Childe straightened up- if he had some kind of dog quirk Izuku’s sure his ears and tail would be wagging right now, “Aquarium!?”
“It sucks ass, man” Hagahari-kun interjected.
“NU-UH!”
“I love water!” Childe blurted out, eyes wide.
Hagahari laughed, “Dude- you know people go to aquariums for the fish?”
Childe’s cheeks dusted a light pink in embarrassment, “I also like eating fish”
“NOOOO DON’T EAT THE FISH CHILDE-KUN!!!!” Hibiki cried out
Childe laughed, “I make no promises.”
“ NOOOOOOOOOOOO ”
Personally, Izuku likes the aquarium but no one asked him for his thoughts.
His classmates continued their interrogation of the new student.
Izuku had his own questions he wanted to ask… he tried writing, ‘ Do you like heros?’ it quickly unraveled into, ‘ Do you want to be a hero too? Do you want to go to UA?’ before deciding to crumble up the paper- it’s not like he can- should- ask.
He’ll just find out when he goes to UA- Izuku decides.
“What’s your quirk Childe-kun!?”
Oh, Izuku desperately wanted to know that- it had no physical indications- most quirks have physical aspects to accommodate for the quirks! Quirkless and quirked base bodies actually have entire different constitutions!! Extra organs and joints- more than just the lil toe joint- though that toe joint makes it such a pain to find shoes that fit besides quirkless tailored brands like primordial shoes. Childe didn’t have primordial shoes- Izuku would have instantly noticed that- but now that Izuku stares closer at all the abnormalities it’s nameless brandless shoes that fit a quirkless person - Izuku is a high tier moderator on a hero forum for a reason! He notices this stuff but ah isn’t it creepy-
“DEKU!” Hibiki yelled mortified at his muttering. Whoops.
Izuku flinched and mumbled apologies before going back to his notes.
Childe attempted to give him a comforting smile, but he looked a bit green. Whoops x2.
“Ignore him,” Nakamura rolled her eyes, “So what is it? Full judgement!”
“Don’t you mean no judgement?” Childe chuckled, wearily glancing between them all.
“No.”
Childe laughed awkwardly, “My quirk is carbondated water!”
“SODA MAN?!” Ibiki cried out with the childhood Ad memories playing in emotion head quarters like in Inside Out 5.
Ogawa took out his water bottle, “CAN YOU TURN WATER INTO SODA?”
“SODA JESUS!” Kamuza cried out.
“SODA JESUS!”
“SODA JESUS!”
Childe laughed, looking between the boys in growing discomfort, yeah Izuku would be taken aback by their antics too if it was his first day, “It’s not soda! Just regular ole water!”
The boys pouted, “b-but soda jesus.”
“SHOWWW USSSS!!” Nakamura demanded, crossing her arms.
“Public quirk use is illegal!” Childe cried out, making wild gestures with his arms.
The class erupted into laughter yet again.
“Dude you really don’t need to be a goody two shoes no one cares here! Least of all the teachers! Don’t worry about it!”
True to his word their teacher was ignoring them all at his desk. Classic sensei. Don’t do more than needed to be paid. Probably watching youtube.
Childe smiled but his face was twitching, “No, I’m seriously good.”
“Man, Russia must be brutal. A lot of stuck-up type heroes in your area?”
Childe smiled for real now, “Yeah! I’ve met a lot of heroes! They’re so cool!”
Izuku’s brain went up on overdrive trying to think of all the different Russian heroes. All Might went to Russia a few years back for an event!! He remembers scanning all the pictures- the top 10 there looked so cool too. Ah, actually now that he thinks about it wasn’t there some big hero scandal in the Russian tabloids soon after that? What was it about again…
“You know, your Japanese is good for a foreigner!”
“I do my best!” Childe laughed, “Actually I’m trying to improve my Japanese while I’m at this school!”
Childe turned to Izuku, ‘ oh no why is turning towards me!!!’
Izuku would prefer it if no one paid him any mind. Ever actually. He’d love to sit in a corner analyzing hero fights all school day.
“Greenie- actually wait is that your name?”
The previously light, interested gazes turned sour as they turned upon Izuku very fast, “U-uh it- w-well my name- name just means green it- it’s not actually- it- it’s M-Midoriya-”
“Shut up, Deku!” Ikari howled in laughter and threw his crumbled-up plastic water bottle at him.
Ah well, that was to be expected.
Despite that Izuku flinched and curled into himself- he knew this was coming. He really wishes people would stop remembering he was in the room.
“Like, no one wants to hear-”
A hand caught the- harmless, really- plastic, “What the hell are you doing!?”
Childe's expression looked between bewildered and irate. ‘O-oh right, he doesn’t know’
Izuku tugged Childe’s sleeve back a bit, “It- it’s okay Childe-kun! That- that’s just how things are!”
“That’s really rude!” Childe’s face smoothed back into a smile and his tone was light but it felt almost… threatening? His smile looked too wide if that was possible…
The laughter that was making its way around the room quieted down, uncomfortably so, until the classroom was quiet.
It really wasn’t a big deal! This wasn’t even something big! You know sticks and stones can break his bones but words mean nothing and all… He can handle words just fine Mom!
Ikari must have felt it too because he looked uncomfortable, shifting in place, “I- It was just a joke, man”
Izuku made a mental note never to let Childe and his mom meet. If he was one prone to conspiracies he’d wonder if Childe was secretly related to his mom- but good thing he’s not so he doesn’t think that.
This is why Izuku didn’t want to tell Mom either- she’d blow everything out of proportion.
“I mean… why does it matter? We’re just teasing! Lighten up Childe-chan!” Ogawa stepped in, trying to bring the humorous tone back.
Childe just stared them down, saccharine smile still on his face, “You said something similar when I brought up laws as well!”
Hibiki-chan laughed, “You’re such a stickler for the rules!”
Childe’s left eye twitched, “Well, the laws are meant to be followed aren’t they!”
“ALL OF YOU EXTRAS SHUT UP! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO STUDY! NO ONE GIVES A FUCK ABOUT DEKU OR CARROT HEAD” Kacchan slammed his hands onto his desk, explosions cracking it up. That was the fourth one this year Kacchan. Poor Auntie Mitsuki having to pay for all those desks…
It was so like Kacchan to be studying- Kacchan is going to be the number 1- number 2 hero, so he studies hard- he has to! Izuku knows because he does it to- well more secretly so his books don’t blow up- but still! He still remembers the days Kacchan and him would study together… Izuku shook his head- no use thinking about those thoughts!
Even if it was only a few years ago…
Childe’s eyes immediately caught onto the law textbook Kacchan was reading, and for a split second, his face dropped its smile in annoyance before it came back just as quick, if Izuku wasn’t paying attention he wouldn’t have noticed, “What an interesting book! Have you ever followed its advice?”
Kacchan scoffed, “Fuck off nerd! Get your own damn book!”
Izuku barely bit back a laugh at Kacchan being Kacchan. He’s never gotten the nerd insult- he knows Kacchan is the biggest nerd here.
Childe’s eyes flitted back to Izuku before he sat back down.
Weird.
-
“Hey Midoriya-kun!” Childe jogged to catch Izuku before he could run off.
Izuku froze in place and slowly turned towards the new boy. He just hoped this wouldn’t be too annoying. He really wants to go eat lunch, preferably in a bathroom stall where no one can bother him.
“I didn’t get to ask before I got… distracted-“
That’s one way to put it.
“-But I was wondering if you could help me?”
Izuku paused at that, his eyes sparkling at the word help. He’s always up for helping someone out. Ah, there goes his plan on hiding until everyone else left, “With what?”
“Well, you seem really smart and I’d appreciate any academic help. Specifically, I need help in making Japanese sound more natural and some law things but I understand if it’s too much-“
Izuku tilted his head, “Would- Wouldn’t it be better to ask Kacchan?-“
Childe made an odd face at the nickname but it passed quickly enough that Izuku couldn’t pin it down.
“-He’s the smart- smartest in the class.”
“Yeah, but you seem less explode-y.”
Izuku tried unsuccessfully to stop the snort that came out of his throat, “You could definitely say that.”
Childe on the other hand didn’t even attempt to stop the laugh that came out of his body.
“I-if you’re fine hanging out with me I- I wouldn’t mind!”
Childe smiled, and somehow it looked more real than any of his other smiles today, “Thank you, comrade!!”
“M-meet after class? T-to plan I guess”
Childe nodded, “Seriously- thanks!!!”
Izuku gave him a weak smiled and then turned around and ran off as fast as he physically could.
Once Izuku was alone he just stood there, having trouble breathing.
Why did he agree?! It was probably a prank- wait. Childe doesn’t know yet. Oh yeah.
Lies of omission don’t count, right? Maybe- maybe he can have a friend- just for the day! Izuku looked down at the crumbled up note in his hand… maybe he can think of more hero questions.
Izuku sat down in his regular alone spot and took out his lunch. He lit up when he saw Mom made him Katsudon again. It’s his comfort food, Mom must have noticed he was down lately…
Izuku’s stomach rumbled and he dug in.
-
Ajax looked from the corner of his eyes, checking every hallway for camera’s almost out of habit. The first thing he needs to do is check every area for emergency exits, he’s already noted the windows as easy access- most were openable.
The security measures here don’t seem very good… but he’s unsure if its from poverty, lack of care or just because he has no idea what a normal school is like.
“It’d be good for you to go to a school until you update your hero lisence- see what normal people are like,” Master had told him a few weeks back when he first arrived in Japan
He protested heavily- he didn’t want to waste time acting like a little baby when he should be preparing for his assignment!
Master had sighed and put a hand on his shoulder, “You need to learn how to at least pretend to be a normal kid.”
He still hadn’t entirely gotten onboard with the idea. Which is why he chose this school to learn in. This school in a poor area with a quirkless student. He can multitask. Both study for the lisence update test and start totally not investigating and going undercover.
Master had only raised an eyebrow when she saw his choice.
Though he has to admit now… he has no idea how normal schools work and he’s a little overwhelmed… are middle schoolers usually this loud?
Or… he’s not sure what to say so he’s just mentally gesturing to the entire thing.
He almost misses his old town’s home schooling regimene
Can’t master just home school prepare him?
Ajax sighed, at least he can absolutely investigate this school.
Ajax took out his hero-grade phone and pressed the contact named “Mom”
Tartaglia is a hero- so of course Ajax didn’t have or need a Mom but apparently ‘Master’ seems too suspicious.
“Hey, Ma- Mom,” Ajax said trying not to seem nervous, despite his heart jumping up to his throat.
“What is it, idiot child? Did you get bullied already?”
“No! I didn’t get bullied!” Ajax objected shrilly
“Ow my ears.”
“It’s just… can you investigate this place?”
“No.” Master said blandly and instantly hung up the phone.
Ajax let a whine escape his throat as he re-dialed the number, “Masterrrrrrrrrrrrrr.”
“Puppy dog eyes don’t work over the phone.”
Master clearly moved to hang up again but Ajax hastened before she could, “Wait, listen it’s important-”
Master audibly sighed, “What’s the matter?”
“Okay so I have multiple questions.”
“Mhm.”
“Is it normal for Middle School’s to be so…”
He could hear Master’s nails typing through the phone- was she pulling up the security footage?
“Yeah that seems like normal Middle Schooler activities.”
“Even…”
“Hey- you wanted to go to this school.” Oh no. He can hear the smirk in her voice, “You should handle this yourself. Don’t think I didn’t notice why, idiot child! If you want to investigate when your supposed to be taking a break, fine do it. I won’t help you.”
“But-!”
“It’s a good learning opportunity. Do a hero’s job.”
“Ma-” Ajax- no- Childe heard footsteps, “Mommmm!”
Childe pointedly ignored Master’s snort.
“Mom can I stay a bit later today with a friend?”
“Sure- son,” amusement submerged the word as it came out of her mouth.
Childe did not make a noise of annoyance because he’s undercover.
“Think of a mock exam before the real deal.” The real deal of course being when he infiltrates a villain cult in a few months. He does need to learn the loopholes and tricks of Japanese laws…
“Okay, thanks Mom.”
Childe tried not to let his face turn pink- calling Master Mom is so embarrassing. (He also tries not to think of it as real which would be infinitely more embarrassing if Master ever found out)
Midoriya was trying to go around him, Childe looked around- ah there was a bathroom in the corner that’s where he must have been.
It’s not weird to semi-stalk a quirkless kid right? It wouldn’t be weird if he did that…
“S-sorry! I’m just trying to-” Midoriya vaguely gestured past him.
Childe gave him an apologetic look, “Don’t apologize comrade!”
Midoriya started walking past and of course Childe joined him. Midoriya looked over at him in a bit of bewilderment. Poor thing- he’s heard of anti-quirkless quirkism before (he had to take SO much sensitivity training) (PR and Pulcinella practically forced him at gun point)) but he’s never actually seen it happen in real life- still so bizarre to him. Childe smiled his comforting hero smile at him.
-
Izuku avoided everyone before they can notice he’s going to talk to the new kid after class. He’s pretty sure Nakamori will jump him.
“H-hi!”
“Hey!!! You recommended a book?”
Izuku nodded, taking out some of his books for the future- different from his journals for the future which aren’t library books from the city over. Kacchan isn’t allowed to mess with those books because Aunt Mitsuki gets mad.
One of his journals was peaking out of his bag and Childe had a weird sharp look in his eye staring at it- he wouldn’t destroy it right? He doesn’t even know he’s quirkless yet…
Icebreakers… Izuku needs something to say… This is too awkward…
It’s like the white polar bear problem- you probably don’t think about saying white polar bear often but the moment you’re not supposed to say it it’s all you can think of!!! He really doesn’t want to blurt out something about quirks right now what if Childe asks him about his!?!?
“Whose your favorite hero!?”
“Ereshkigal!” Childe cheered, “The international hero!”
“Isn’t her quirk the Goddess of Death!?! It’s so cool!!!”
“I know right!!! She goes all BLAM-Y and then her commandments destroy all the bad guys!!!”
“There’s so much debate if she summons zombies or ghosts apparations with her quirk… not actual dead people obviously thats not possible with a quirk unless something upends my entire understanding of quirks-”
“She can turn blood and mud into her army! The ghost or zombie thing is just aesthetic- shes weird like that”
Izuku nodded, “I heard she was heroing in Russia on and off these past few years so you must know best, right?”
Childe nodded, “Haha, yeah that’s why I know- no other reason- sooo uhhh you like researching heroes?”
For some reason Childe seemed like he was sweating…
“Yeah! I love heroes!” Izuku was nearly shaking from excitement- he could not help the excited words falling from his mouth- he was only semi aware of what he was saying. He thinks he’s rambling about All Might again.
Childe smiled but he looked a bit pale, “Hey Midori, can you tell me more about Japanese heroes?”
Izuku squealed, “CAN I?!?”
-
Maybe things would be fine…
“What does Deku mean by the way?”
-
No offense to Childe he’s a nice friend- kind of friends- but Izuku is so tired now. How do people have so much energy.
Izuku hurried outside and found Kacchan waiting for him now that everyone else has left. This was a nice part of the day- after everyone else would leave he and Kacchan would walk home together. And he wouldn’t act crazy. That’s definitely a bonus.
“You’re late,” Kacchan accused, squinting at him in offense.
“I think I made a friend?”
Kacchan hummed and they continued walking for a while before he spoke up again, “Does he… know?” Kacchan was looking down at his Primordial shoes.
“I don’t think so.”
Izuku expected Kacchan to yell at him that he shouldn’t lie but he just stayed quiet. Kacchan’s been acting SO WEIRD lately.
Kacchan was the one who begged Auntie Mitsuki to send him to Aldera so they’d be in the same school again. They used to be friends both in and out of class. He doesn’t get why Kacchan slowly started distancing himself so much after that first year…
(He probably just didn’t want to deal with all the extra-ness that comes with being friends with a quirkless person- that’s fine he doesn’t care.)
Man this is always so awkward. He misses Aunt Mitsuki.
“Did your mom make spicy curry?”
“All curry is spicy idiot!”
“But did she?”
“YEAH”
Izuku nodded to himself happily.