The coastal beach was still a wasteland of rusted metal and sun-bleached garbage. Mountains of scrap loomed like tiny skyscrapers, the salty wind carrying the scent of the sea and decay.
"Come on, young Midoriya!"
All Might's booming voice echoed across the beach as he sat proudly on top of a busted refrigerator — the same one currently being dragged by a panting, sweat-drenched Midoriya.
The boy was straining every muscle, ropes wrapped around his torso as he tried to move the fridge forward. His shoes dug trenches into the sand.
"Y-You can do it!" All Might cheered with the enthusiasm of a stadium announcer.
Midoriya's knees buckled and he collapsed face-first into the sand, gasping. "W-With you on there… it's like six hundred pounds more…"
All Might puffed out his chest. "Oh, no, no! I've been losing weight lately. I'm only five hundred and sixty pounds now!"
Midoriya let out a desperate groan, arms trembling.
Ren sighed from a few meters away, hands in his pockets as he watched the scene. "Go a little easier on him, old man. You're gonna break him at this point…"
All Might turned dramatically, finger raised. "Ren, that's why you're here! To avoid him breaking down!"
Ren rolled his eyes. "Right, so I'm the healer-slash-paramedic-slash-babysitter, huh?"
"Exactly!" All Might said, grinning wide. "Now, come on — heal him!"
Ren muttered something under his breath but eventually walked over, kneeling beside Midoriya. A soft white glow enveloped his hand as he placed it on the boy's shoulder.
Midoriya shuddered as fatigue melted away and the pain in his joints eased. "T-Thanks, Ren…"
"Don't mention it," Ren said dryly, standing back up. "You'll be thanking me again in five minutes when you collapse again."
All Might laughed heartily. "That's the spirit!"
---
Ten Months Later
The beach was unrecognizable.
Where there once stood heaps of broken appliances and corroded junk, now stretched a pristine stretch of sand. The ocean breeze carried only the sound of waves, not the scent of rust.
Midoriya stood shirtless at the center of it all, breathing heavily as the sunset painted the sky orange and gold. His body had changed completely — lean, strong, and defined. The trembling, nervous boy from before was nowhere to be seen.
He looked at his hands, flexing them in disbelief. "I feel like… I've cheated…"
Midoriya turned toward All Might, tears glimmering in his eyes. "You've done all this for me… All Might… Ren… I— I feel too honored…"
All Might chuckled, a deep and proud sound. "You've earned every bit of it, young Midoriya."
Ren smiled faintly and stepped closer, patting his shoulder. "You should stop being such a crybaby, Midoriya."
Midoriya sniffled and nodded, wiping his eyes quickly. "R-Right!"
All Might laughed again. "Now, it's time for your reward!"
Ren's expression immediately darkened. "Oh, no… not this part."
All Might reached into his hair and pulled out a single, shining strand. "Remember this, young Midoriya…" he said solemnly, holding it up. "This is a power you've earned yourself…"
He turned dramatically toward the green-haired boy, hand outstretched.
Midoriya clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.
And then—
"Eat it."
The words hung in the air like an awkward punchline.
Midoriya froze. "What?"
All Might scratched his head, chuckling nervously. "Well, you have to absorb my DNA in some way! Hahaha!"
Midoriya looked horrified. "B-But—"
All Might cut him off with a stern look. "Come on, there's no other way! You'll be late for the U.A. entrance exam if you hesitate!"
"Y-Yeah!" Midoriya said, visibly shaking. He took the strand of hair with trembling fingers, staring at it like it was a deadly weapon.
Ren sighed deeply, rubbing his temple. "You're wasting time."
Without another word, he grabbed the strand — and shoved it into Midoriya's open mouth.
"Gah—!!" Midoriya gagged, eyes wide in disbelief.
Ren turned away, grimacing. "I don't wanna be late because of you."
All Might blinked, then burst out laughing so loud the waves almost seemed to echo him. "Hahaha! That's one way to do it, Ren, my boy!"
Midoriya coughed violently.
...
U.A. High School.
The greatest hero academy in Japan — the dream of every aspiring hero.
The towering gates gleamed under the morning sun, a symbol of pride and power. Its sleek, modern buildings looked more like a fortress than a school. The sight made even the confident tremble.
Ren and Midoriya walked side by side through the crowd of students gathering at the entrance.
Midoriya's eyes sparkled with awe. "I can't believe I'm really here…"
Ren just slipped his hands into his pockets, a faint smirk on his lips. "Impressive, huh?"
"Yeah…" Midoriya nodded, then hesitated before speaking again. "Hey, Ren…"
"Mm?"
"Why didn't you get a recommendation to enter? I mean… with your Quirks and your record, you could've easily gotten in without taking the exam."
Ren tilted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth curling. "Because it would've been boring that way."
Midoriya blinked. "Ah…"
He didn't get it. Ten months had passed, and he still couldn't figure Ren out.
Before he could ask more, a sharp, cocky voice cut through the air.
"Move out of the way, Deku!"
They both turned.
A boy with spiky blonde hair and a fierce glare stormed toward them, hands shoved in his pockets like he owned the place. His presence was loud, his confidence overwhelming. Sparks of aggression practically radiated off him.
"K-Kacchan?" Midoriya stammered.
Ren simply smiled.
The blonde noticed it immediately. "What the hell are you smiling at, you dipshit?!"
Without warning, he grabbed Ren by the collar, yanking him close. Students nearby turned to watch, whispering.
"Kacchan, p-please! Let Ren g-go—" Midoriya stepped forward, but the blonde shoved him aside with a growl. "Shut up, shitty nerd."
Ren's calm expression didn't change. "Ohi…" he muttered quietly, grabbing the boy's wrist.
And then — crack.
The guy's eyes widened as Ren's grip tightened, raw strength crushing down like a vice.
"You're ruining my clothes," Ren said coldly, his eyes meeting the blonde's with unsettling calm.
For a moment, the explosive boy froze — a flicker of realization passing through his mind.
He's… strong.
He yanked his hand back with a snarl, shaking off the pain. "Tch. Whatever." He turned and walked off, rage smoldering in his glare.
Ren brushed off his collar casually, then turned to Midoriya, who was still sitting on the ground. "Come on, Deku. Get up."
"D-Deku?!" Midoriya repeated, startled.
Ren chuckled. "It's a cute name. It fits you."
Midoriya frowned. "B-But… it means 'useless'…"
"Exactly."
"But—" Midoriya wanted to say something, but before he could, his foot caught on the ground.
"Ah—!"
He pitched forward—
And stopped midair.
"Eh?" Midoriya blinked in confusion, realizing he wasn't falling.
"Everything alright?"
A soft, cheerful voice came from beside him. A brown-haired girl stood there with a bright smile, her hand extended toward him. She had warm, round eyes and a soft expression that practically radiated kindness.
"It's my Quirk," she said, helping him up gently. "Sorry if I used it without asking… but falling right before an exam brings bad luck, right?"
Midoriya just stared, face slowly turning red. "Uh… uh—"
Ren watched silently, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
The girl tilted her head, smiling again. "You okay?"
"Y-Y-Yeah!" Midoriya stammered.
Ren sighed quietly and stepped closer. "Thanks for saving him," he said flatly. "His nickname 'Deku' really fits him."
"Eh?" Midoriya snapped out of his daze, flustered. "That's—"
"Deku?" the girl repeated, thinking for a moment before smiling brightly. "That's really cute!"
Midoriya froze, his brain short-circuiting.
"Well, good luck on the exam, guys!" she said cheerfully, waving as she jogged off toward the entrance.
Midoriya watched her go, face completely red.
Ren lifted a hand and gave him a light chop on the head. Thwack.
"Ah—!" Midoriya winced, clutching his head. "Did you have to do that?!"
Ren sighed. "You're really a disaster, you know that?"
Midoriya pouted. "S-Sorry…"
"And was that your first time talking to a girl?"
To be continued...
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