"You may have some potential."

When Izuku heard those words from his, seemingly disinterested, sensei Izuku was mildly embarrassed over the faint praise. Little did he know it would result in Aizawa taking an active interest in his training. Izuku didn't know what changed, what flipped the switch but Aizawa-sensei had been going hard since they started training for the sports festival.

How did he know Aizawa was a slave driver? His dad let the Eraser Hero take over their morning sessions. And slave driver he was. Every ability was expected to see improvement. Izuku could lift a coupe? Try a sedan next. Jump to a third story window, try a fifth. Run mach two? Wouldn't mach three be better? No stone, nor technique, was left unturned. If he wasn't increasing his strength with a modified hydraulic press, he was learning to train his ear for dialects with Present Mic. How to convincingly move like a woman from Midnight Sensei.

And the less said about his medical training with Recovery Girl the better.

It was hard, some of the hardest days of his life but Izuku never complained. He realized if it were this hard, it meant he hadn't been pushing himself enough. He hadn't thought he was coasting but there was more he could have done, should have done and it showed it'd need to be more self-directed in the future. But for now, he just needed to keep calm, his breathing even and make sure not to-

Ding!

"Ugh!" he let out a groan at the sound of the chime and dropped to the ground.

"Well, you almost got the hostages out of the building, Midoriya," Aizawa-sensei said. Izuku had been around the man long enough to know the kick was coming. "And if this were real and they reported it on the news, they might even mention it. Local hero almost rescues hostages, and families almost avoid mourning their loss."

They were in gym B, a makeshift skyrise and he was tasked with silently extricating several dummies rigged with bells. One sound and he failed. They'd been at this for an hour and he hadn't managed it yet. Close? Yes, but clearly that wasn't good enough.

"Do we have time for one more, Aizawa-sensei?"

"No, it's best if you get changed. We'll try again tomorrow." Izuku nodded and headed toward the locker room. "Oh, and Nezu wants to see you before class," Aizawa-sensei informed him but offered no more information. After a quick, but thorough, shower and a low level jutsu to get dry, Izuku quickly changed and made his way to the Principal's office via shunshin.

"Oh, Midoriya-kun, right on time! Please sit," he bid. Once seated, Nezu continued, "Now, I wanted to give you this," the Principal stated as he slid a folder toward Izuku, "since you didn't get to compete in the festival I've spread some information to a selective list of heroes. Those are your internship offers."

"Oh, wow, thank you, Principal," Izuku responded, offering a short bow in conjunction.

"No need, it was the least I could do given what transpired. I assume you were just going to intern with your father and given your quirk it makes sense but I really want you to consider some of those other heroes. They have a lot to offer."

"I will, sir, I promise."

"Good, good, now run along," the chimera said and Izuku departed, and was swiftly greeted by an unenthused looking Toga-san.

"You don't give me the slip, Gemstone."

"Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"I respected your privacy in the locker room but if I need to stand guard outside your shower I will."

Izuku promptly went red, "No, no, that won't be necessary."

"Good, I don't want to request a tracker but I will."

The greenette paled, "A tracker? Isn't that overboard?"

"Of course, it's also a joke. If your dad didn't chip you when you were a baby, he won't do it now. Just don't make it so appealing and let me do my job." Izuku nodded and charged off to class, at a pace Toga-san could follow. He, quietly, entered his homeroom and moved to his seat.

"Midoriya," Aizawa-sensei called.

"Yes, Sensei?"

"You're late."

"Huh?"

"You're late."

"..." Izuku looked at his teacher in apt confusion.

"Just because the Principal wanted to see you during class time doesn't mean you get to be late," he stated and then smiled, which meant trouble. "Not when you can be in two places at once. Next time, send a clone. But for now, you'll be punished for disrespecting the class."

Izuku thought he might have preferred it when Aizawa didn't seem to care. Much of the class snickered when Aizawa explained the "punishment". Izuku obeyed the unreasonable punishment from the sadist. It was embarrassing, the effect being amplified by the snickers of his classmates. But he endured it, silently thankful when the class ended.

He landed without a sound just as Midnight-Sensei walked into the room, confusion obvious for all. "Why were you on the ceiling, Midoriya-kun? Bursting with youthful energy, are we?"

"Oh, em… Aizawa made me stay up there because I was late, Midnight-Sensei."

She laughed but said no more about the unorthodox, and unwarranted, punishment. "Good news, class! Today, not only do we select your hero names. Now keep in mind, these will possibly represent you for the rest of your careers and will be your introduction to the wider community of heroes and civilians alike so make it catchy, personal, and something you'd be proud to be called for years to come. Who wants to go first?"

Izuku sat, half paying attention to the names being pitched by his classmates but was more focused on his. He smiled softly thinking back to his younger days when all his names revolved around All Might, his greatest ambition to be the man's sidekick and successor. Fortunately, he'd matured out of his blind hero-worship, even if All Might was still his favorite hero and foundational model for the kind of hero he wanted to be.

He also thought about his other role model, his father (and it even still felt weird to say that sometimes). More powerful than even All Might but not just solely a protector. His dad sought to forge bonds, strengthen communities so people could, in a sense, be their own heroes. His agency acted as a part time community center on the lower levels and his understanding of help might be painting a fence or delivering groceries.

Izuku had progressed so much, had become so much more comfortable with his chakra (and with himself) since meeting his dad that a part of him toyed with adopting a name similar to and in homage. Nightwing, the Bird of Prey hero. It felt, dare he say, cool. It fit and he doubted it'd cause him too many problems but Izuku could never fully commit to it and it took him a while to realize why.

All Might was a role model, his father a (recent) mentor and guide, but Midoriya Izuku wasn't solely a hero. The person who helped him be the decent, kind, and open young man he was could only be credited to his mom. She struggled and showed him how to overcome anxiety. She taught him how to stand up for himself without becoming a bully. She was the one who made him feel like even in a room full of strangers, even when the world seemed too much that he wasn't alone. She was his anchor and as such he wanted the kind of name she'd never hesitate to approach.

And he wanted the kind of name anyone would feel welcomed to interact with. A name that would signify more than aggression, more than someone desiring victory over villains. He wanted to be a hero to all, even those who may have made some mistakes.

"Midoriya-kun," Midnight-Sensei called. "It's your turn."

Izuku headed toward the front of the class with his placard, nervous but resolute. He took a few calming breaths and then revealed the name to his class. "I want my code name to be: The New Day Hero; Horizon."

"Oh, I simply love that. It's so optimistic and a play on your lightning and earth manipulation powers. Sky meets land!" Midnight-Sensei gushed, her exclamations adding a little jiggle. He felt his face warm and damned his hormones.

"Shoto is better," a monotone voice said and Izuku visibly fought back the laugh as he didn't want to encourage his friend.

"I like it! It sounds manly!" Kirishima spoke up.

"Thanks," Izuku said. He received a few more supportive comments as he headed back to his desk but should have realized things couldn't have stayed that way. He returned to his seat, not able to give his full attention to his classmates. Of the remaining presentations, Tsuyu's Froppy was a big hit but he also liked Uraraka's Uravity and Yaorozu's Creati.

The end of the period came and the class departed for lunch. Izuku hadn't realized he'd been so anxious until the fatigue, something similar to an adrenaline dump, set in. It wouldn't last long. He'd never really thought about it but he almost never stayed tired for long. By the end of lunch he'd be fine.

With his silent shadow by his side, Izuku made his way to the cafeteria wondering what delights Lunch Rush would provide them. He arrived at the table, discussion already underway.

"My brother Touya has agreed to supervise my internship," Shoto said. He was as even toned as ever but Izuku could hear the excitement in his voice.

"He works with Uzumaki-sensei, yes? Then we'll probably see each other a fair bit as I'm doing my internship with him," Yaoyorozu provided.

"I got an offer from Gunhead so I think I'm going with him," Uraraka chirped.

"Why Gunhead?" Izuku asked.

"To help me with my hand-to-hand combat." Izuku nodded, Gunhead was notorious for his own brand of martial arts and with Uraraka's quirk, it made perfect sense.

"I'm going with Selkie," Tsuyu offered. "What about you Midoriya-chan?"

Izuk wouldn't get to respond to said question as the world's angriest boy approached the table.

"How arrogant can you get, Deku!" Katsuki yelled, hands death-gripping his desk. "New Day? Do you think you're really that far ahead of us? That you can just assume you'll be the next All Might, the next pillar?"

Izuku didn't respond, he was steadfast in his refusal to interact with his classmate no more than he absolutely had to and lunch was not a mandatory time. Unfortunately, Izuku had friends and they would defend him, even if he didn't require it.

"Bakugo, that's enough," Shoto warned but he paid no heed. In fact, he took it as fuel to keep the fires of hate burning.

"He looks down on all of us and you congratulate him for it like a bunch of goddamn extras, it makes me sick."

"Then go see Recovery Girl and leave the rest of us alone," that had come from Ochaco.

"This is about a name, Bakugo, how insecure can you be?" Yaoyorozu added.

"Why are you two even speaking to me? I already beat you, Round Cheeks and Equip over here couldn't even get past one fight alone. Second-tier trash has no right-"

"You should leave," Izuku said. Words were spoken in a calm, even tone but the green lightning that arc'd across his body told the story of his true emotional state. He could ignore Bakugo for the rest of his days, used to his baseless and profane taunts but he wouldn't allow his friends to become targets, to be run down just because Bakugo couldn't get a rise out of him.

"Oh, he speaks. I thought you let girls do that for you," Bakugo then glares at Himiko, "fight for you, too, pansy."

Izuku really wanted to hit him. He really wanted to, and the feeling was foreign because Izuku didn't dislike many people, he didn't like disliking people. He was Izuku Midoriya, everyone's friend if you gave him a chance. Bakugo just never let up, it was always something and the bullying went unpunished for too long.

Izuku wanted to hit him. More than he's ever wanted to before. It wasn't the consequences he'd endure that stopped him, but those that may befall his friends. Katsuki wouldn't care about collateral damage. Izuku couldn't jeopardize his friends, possibly get them hurt before their internships. They'd worked too hard for that.

A different tact was needed. Katsuki couldn't be placated. Could hardly be reasoned with. So, what could be done? Maybe it was time for some radical honesty.

"I'm sorry, Katsuki. Since you got your quirk you've wanted to be the future number one hero and near everyone around you let you believe it was a possibility. You took their support as confirmation of this grand destiny…

I'm better than you. Stronger, faster, smarter. More resilient, a better fighter and a better quirk. I may never be the number one hero, I'm not sure how you could spend a week here and not have doubts but the truth is, even if I don't become the number one I know you'll never be. And you know it, too." He saw the lunge. He could have avoided it, countered it but he remained still. Bakugo grabbed at his collars, eyes bloodshot with rage.

"Say that again!" Izuku gestured for Himiko to stand down, this wasn't going to break out into violence because of his actions. If Bakugo struck then he'd be the one in trouble but no one else would be. Still, refusing to be manhandled, Izuku knocked Bakugo's grips loose.

"You'll never be the number one hero and if that is your sole reason for being here then there's time to find a new dream."

"You think because your old m-"

"Before I ever had an inkling who my father was I knew I was better than you. You did, too." Izuku felt Bakugo's body tense and for a very long second he waited for an attack to come; instead, Bakugo released him.

"I was right, you were looking down on me."

"No. When I realized you weren't my friend anymore I stopped thinking about you entirely." Katsuki, for just the briefest of moments, looked hurt but the rage returned so fast Izuku could be forgiven for assuming he imagined it.

"I'm so far beneath you I'm below your notice? Is that what you're saying?"

"Why is everything a competition with you? No, I don't look down on you. I stopped caring because my first friend became…."

"Became what?!" Katsuki yelled.

"An asshole! Day in and day out never a kind nor supportive word for anyone. Everyone was just a stepping stone to your legend. Well, guess what, Katsuki? Other people have dreams, too, and they matter. Was I supposed to just give up because you felt destined?"

"You were supposed to admit it! At least, I'm honest. I want to be number one, I don't ever want to lose to anyone for any reason because heroes win. They beat villains, that's the job. But you walked around like some benevolent shepard. Oh, Izuku, he's the good one. He's the kind one but you never hesitated to put me in the dirt."

"You were a bully."

"No, I'm just strong! I don't make accommodations for the weak, they make them for me. And as much as you wanted to play grand protector still no one wanted to be your friend! Everyone could see how fake you were. The anxiety, the stutter, it was all crap! You're only ever honest when you're in a fight."

Izuku shook his head in disbelief. "There's no talking sense to you, Katsuki. Fine, I'm a liar, you're right. You're always right so just leave me alone and I'll do the same."

Katsuki scoffed, "Whatever," and stormed off.

Seeing the threat gone, Izuku returned to his seat. He admonished himself for escalating things and letting his antipathy for Katsuki to get to him. His stance of non-involvement was meant to relieve pressure, not increase it but it was clear he couldn't do it alone.

"That guy is a world-class jerk," Uraraka said with a huff.

"He can be," Izuku agreed," and I'd never tell you to accept his insults but if he's directing them at me can you guys just ignore him?"

"No," Shoto responded, though there were heads nodding in agreement. Izuku was preparing to launch into his defense but Yaoyorozu spoke first.

"Midoriya, you're our friend. We care about you so telling people who care about you to simply watch you get abused, that's unacceptable. Bakugo needs to understand that his behavior won't be tolerated."

".. Thank you," he replied. For so long, his mom was his only defender so having gained so many friends so quickly, he didn't always realize how full his life had become, "truly, but Katsuki can be dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt."

"We've chosen an unsafe profession," Iida spoke for the first time. He'd seemed disconnected for most of the day and all understood why as his brother recovered from Stain's assault. "We shouldn't be reckless but we can't really be safe. Excuse me," Iida departed, looking engaged for the first time.

"Geez, we got a bunch of serious faces over here, don't we Jiro-chan," Ashido said. Izuku welcomed the attempt to break the tension.

"We do, we do. Is there any way to help our sullen classmates?"

"Oh, yes. The one true cure for all that ails you… Class 1A needs some afterschool retail therapy!" Ashido exclaimed with much enthusiasm. Izuku looked around the table and it seemed that Yaoyorozu was interested but Uraraka seemed ambivalent. He smiled when her eyes met his.

"It'd be nice to do something as friends. We just go to class and train."

"You're right, let's do it!" Uraraka exclaimed. More of 1A came to their table and a plan was made to go to the mall when school was done for the day. Izuku excused himself and departed lunch early. He felt Toga-san behind him but was lost in thought. He'd…

Well, he'd blown his allowance on some rare All Might merch that went on sale and wasn't due for an allotment for another week or so. He felt weird going to his dad. He didn't want him to think Izuku was frivolous or irresponsible as he was, generally, quite the spendthrift. He also didn't want him to think Izuku felt entitled to more or…

"Hey, kiddo," his dad greeted him, breaking his downward spiral before it could ever start. He felt his dad's hand mush his hair and reflexively smiled, "you looking for me?"

"Um, y-yea," Izuku answered.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be fine. So, what's up?"

"O-ok," Izuku said and took a deep breath. "The class is going to the mall after class. Ashido-san called it retail therapy. But, um, I kinda overspent-"

"There was a sale on some rare All Might stuff. So, you want an advance on your allowance? That's no problem," dad reassured him as he retrieved a frog purse (one quite similar to the one he had as a kid). Izuku saw the seal and felt the small pulse of chakra. What appeared were two rolls of bills held together in a rubber band each. And then, he just handed it to him, causing Izuku to go wide-eyed.

"That should be about half, right?"

"Half?"

"Yea, for the month. Half should due for now. I hadn't meant to push but I am glad you're doing a little shopping. You're an amazing kid but son, you have no drip."

"No… drip? I have drip."

"You wear t-shirts that say t-shirt. Now, you can get you some proper attire. Oh, and price a time-piece. Every man needs a quality watch. I'll get it for you but narrow down a selection. Oh, you know what?!" his dad asked in genuine excitement. "I'm going to get you to a tailor. I could fly my guy in but Best Jeanist might do it for a favor. Get you a few suits."

"Suits? Why do I need suits?"

"You want to have a girlfriend anytime soon?" izuku went red but nodded. "You're going to want to take her somewhere nice, that requires a suit. Don't worry, son, I'll support you through this time of struggle. You should see how Touya used to dress before I wore him down. Boy would have worn flip flops to a funeral."

"I have drip," Izuku reasserted.

"After today, I'd hope so. Will that be enough? I can just give you my credit card."

"Hm, dad, this is more than mom gives me in six months."

He laughed, "Oh, that tricky little minx. I bet she's been stashing the rest in an account for you. Guess you're going to have either a kick ass birthday or graduation."

"You aren't mad?"

"You miss any meals?"

"No."

"Have to live without lights or hot water?"

"No."

"Then, not really. Honestly, my childhood wasn't the best and money was always tight. Six is not a great age to learn to budget. I just never wanted you to have that particular stress and I know your mom wouldn't be frivolous with it. If she needed more she'd have sent word."

Izuku almost envied his dad's ability to just roll with things. He wished his mind allowed him to do that, to just flow. But he couldn't linger, he had to get to hero training so he put the money away, thanked his dad and headed out.

Two Days Later

The thing about admitting you were nervous is it did nothing to alleviate being nervous and boy, Izuku Midoriya was bordering on nervous wreck. He shouldn't be. No matter what this didn't have to change things, even if it could change everything. No, that was the wrong way to look at it. This was just another step… a different way to get to know…

He was so nervous. He could barely hang onto his phone. In fact, he was so twitchy that his thumb accidentally hit the absolute wrong button and before he was ready (he was never going to be ready) it was ringing. And for the longest two seconds in his life, yes even longer than the Nomu attack, Izuku had every thought. All of them. All the thoughts.

"Hello," the voice said from the other end.

"Uh, HI!... hi, Uraraka," he forced out and felt himself cringe internally.

"Hi, MIdoriya. What's up? You at your internship yet?"

"Oh, just outside, I wanted to do this before I walked in."

"Cool. I'm already at Gunhead's HQ but we haven't started so I have a minute."

"Great," he said and then went silent. And remained silent.

"Midoriya?"

"Yes?"

"What did you call about?"

"Oh… oh! Um, I really had fun at the mall the other day."

"I did too…"

"And I was wondering if you'd like to do it again sometime… justthetwoofus." There, he'd said it. No take backs. Does that even fit here? He didn't know.

"Sure, I wouldn't… wait, what was that last part?" He really didn't want to repeat it. It took most of his resolve to say it the first time. Maybe he could laugh it off as a joke or just mumble something and hang up. He looked at the building he'd yet to enter. A real step toward his hero career. How could he protect the innocent if he couldn't even do this.

"I asked if you'd like to do it again, just the two of us?"

"Like a date?" she asked.

"Yes," Izuku responded. And then Uraraka went silent. It felt like forever, it was barely a second.

"Yes."

"Yes?" She giggled at his response. It could have been worse.

"Well, Gunhead is waving me on so I have to go, let's make plans when we get back to UA," she suggested. He assented, bid her good luck and ended the call. He actually had a date… with Uraraka! He walked into the door feeling like a million-

"You're late, Mister!" a periwinkle-haired girl chastised. He hadn't thought he was, he even made sure to get here early to have a minor freak out about the call.

"Oh, I'm sorr-" he found himself in a hug before he could even apologize.

"I'm just joking! You're early! Welcome to the Ryukyu agency! We're going to have so much fun and leave with plenty of stories to tell your girlfriend!"

Izuku went red as the bubble maniac laughed, never letting go of the hug. Maybe he'd made a mistake.

Sup