Clicking post, Izuku watched his newest video be uploaded onto his growing video channel. Like with every post, a small flicker of doubt lingered in the back of his mind, questioning if it were good or not. Though he had crossed one million subscribers in just over a year and could feel proud, that feeling never went away. He knew he didn't leave anything out, having gone back to edit it numerous times, but there was always that nibbling uncertainty chewing at him.
Was this the anguish of content creation creators feel?
The video this time was about the Quirkless. It was a video that broached a rather personal topic for Izuku, and one he knew he'd inevitably address. It was a video made as a letter to the person he used to be - a Quirkless kid dreaming he could become a Hero.
He avoided getting private or confessing his own nature in it, as the video was created for anyone to watch and enjoy. Uplifting and inspiring to those who were Quirkless, and informative for those who were not. The video wasn't long and the contents inside were basic, but it had such emotion and understanding within that anyone watching could connect with it. Along with his video about All Might, this was his proudest creation.
Quirkless, not powerless.
That was what he titled it. Simple, yet effective.
If the Izuku of the past happened to stumble on the video, he truly believed he would be touched. He understood that young boy of the past all too well. Living in denial, he kept up his fantasy, hoping he could achieve his dreams all the while knowing it was hopeless.
With enough hope, everything would change. That's what he deluded himself into thinking.
Perhaps if he had watched this video, he would have been motivated enough to take on greater action. Not content with just hoping and dreaming, but encouraged to find strength in the face of lacking it. If there was someone else in this world who was like him, he hoped they would see it. They needed it.
Not fretting over how well it would do, Izuku stood up from his computer desk and headed over towards his closet. Opening the doors and fiddling behind some weights and boxes, Izuku grabbed his hidden stash of support materials and stuffed them into his duffle bag. The bag doubled as his exercise bag he would take with him to the beach, disguising his research while keeping his honesty in tact.
Throwing it over his shoulder and heading out of his room Izuku spotted his mom who scrambled over to him cutely with a mildly panicked expression. In her right hand was a green parchment she waved frantically. "I-I-I-Izuku! Y-you're going to enter a science fair?!"
"I am," he answered proudly, giving her a brilliant smile.
"B-b-but why didn't you tell me sooner?! It's in a week!" Inko looked as if she would turn into a ghost, horrified by the proximity as she melted backwards into the hallway wall.
"I left it on the table for you," his voice was chipper and unperturbed by her distress, even as her soul threatened to leave her body.
His simple response nearly caused the poor woman to keel over, clenching at her heart as she nearly hyperventilated. "Bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-"
Her mind tugged in every knotting way it could be tangled. The event was officially labeled as a science fair titled 'Quaotic Quirkstravaganza' and was affiliated with his school, but the age group included students up to those in middle school. That wouldn't have been too concerning in itself had it not been a competition.
Young talents from across the city in several different schools were going to be attending to debut their own mystifying creations far beyond Inko could comprehend. Stuff like... model volcanoes... or planes...
And if they chose to make something in conjunction with their Quirk... the haunting idea alone was enough to threaten unconsciousness.
Feeling something small press into her shoulder, Inko looked down at Izuku to see his comforting hand as he stared up at her earnestly. "Everything is fine, mom. I got it all under control."
"B-but what will you do? What will you show?" She glanced down dubiously. She believed in her son's impressive intelligence, but it was a science fair for goodness' sake. That was like asking if he could fight villains in a bareknuckle brawl. Oh, the horror...
Izuku could see the doubt within her eyes and gently squeezed her arm reassuringly. "It's okay if I don't win. I just want to see how mine fares against the others. I've been working hard, and it's almost completed. I promise I'll show it to you at the fair."
He knew she was only looking out for his best interest. She had every right to worry, and he accepted that part of her. He too had a timid nature, and it took a lot for him to break out from it. He would never wish such a thing onto her.
"A-are you sure?" She asked, her matching green eyes searching him for any unease and finding none.
"I'm sure. I'm looking forward to it, so you should too." Gripping her hand in both of his, he encouraged his mother to find her own determination. He lowered and raised her arm numerous times like they were cheering, as if she was the one in the competition and hyping her up.
His mother smiled lightly at his silliness, but it soon fell off her lips as her shoulders slumped. She gently pulled her hand away and nodded down at him. "Okay, Izuku... you can go..." She clenched a fist near her chest. "I believe in you..."
Although she had agreed to let him go to the fair, he felt his face tense up, smile beginning to waver.
There it was again... that distance between them. He just didn't know why they were like that with each other...
Slowly nodding back, Izuku stepped away from his mother, pulling his exercise bag firmer against his shoulder. "I'm heading out. I'll be back around sunset like normal."
"Make sure you answer my call..." She answered, reminding him as always when he left home. It was something she always made sure of ever since the time he had run away when he was younger. She did trust him... but she just needed to know. She could never forget.
He waved goodbye as he departed for the beach.