My hero academia:Am I worthy?

Hisashi, more commonly known as All For One, found himself in deep contemplation about whether Inko would reach out to him with a call. The late hour—22:37 across all of Japan—was weighing heavily on his mind, especially with the knowledge that the next day marked the beginning of another workweek, when everyone would inevitably retire for the night. Seated in the dimly lit confines of his office, he picked up his personal phone, which had been carefully encrypted. Only Inko had the privilege to contact him through that specific number. After selecting the sole contact stored in his device, he began waiting, hoping for someone to answer. The phone emitted a steady ringing sound, but no one picked up. After a lengthy wait of 38 seconds, he speculated that she might have already fallen asleep. With a gentle press of his index finger, he contemplated ending the call when, at last, he heard Inko's voice. Hisashi's face lit up with surprise as he raised the phone to his ear.

— Hello, my beloved Inko, — he greeted her, his voice calm and indifferent, yet tinged with warmth.

— Hello, dear. How are you doing, and how is your health? — At that moment, Izuku was peacefully asleep, and Inko spoke softly, careful not to disturb her son. She yearned to share everything that had transpired over the past week, especially the realization that their son, lacking a quirk, would likely never fulfill his dream of becoming a hero. Earlier that evening, he had been sitting in his room, shrouded in darkness, captivated by the screen where All Might was heroically saving lives, radiating his signature smile.

Inko felt the urge to turn on the lights but hesitated, as Izuku seemed to sense her presence. With tears glistening in his eyes, he turned towards her. His expression conveyed a profound understanding of the harsh reality: when individuals feel they cannot achieve their dreams, even if they exert every effort, it can be devastating. He had told both Nejire and his mother that he would become a hero despite being quirkless, but deep within, he harbored doubts about those words, realizing that an ordinary person often struggles to embody the ideal of a hero.

As he surveyed his surroundings, Izuku recognized that society, along with its professions and attire, was primarily designed for those who possessed quirks. Although everyone around insisted that no divisions existed based on quirks and that all individuals were equal, the reality was far more complex. People with quirks consistently enjoyed advantages over their quirkless counterparts. Despite the latter's resilience and efforts to prove their worth, statistics often told a different story. Attributes like strength, endurance, and agility were consistently associated with those who had powerful quirks, particularly among those with mutation or heteromorphic abilities. Consequently, quirkless individuals found themselves marginalized, even when they achieved remarkable success in education and science. Society largely turned its back on them, despite their potential to learn alongside others. The prevailing social climate was one of division: the primitive mindset of "us versus them" fostered an environment where quirkless individuals were ostracized, labeled as unfit or disabled. The suicide rates among the youth without quirks were alarmingly high; although statistical reports documented the number of quirkless individuals who had succumbed to such despair, they were often ignored, much like the elderly who had endured to this point. Due to health issues and age, these individuals could no longer contribute to society, rendering them useless even to their own government, resulting in solitary deaths, often sustained by begging from those more fortunate.

These dreadful thoughts about Izuku potentially becoming one of those lost souls without a promising future, forever dependent on his parents, deeply saddened Inko, leading her to quiet sobs. All For One, who was attuned to her emotional state, listened in silence, his heart heavy. He turned off his microphone, stood up in a fit of rage, and angrily pushed his chair aside, furious that someone had dared to make his precious jewel cry. Overcome with anger, he lost control over his quirks, unleashing chaos throughout his meticulously organized office. The activation of an overwhelming number of quirks caused him to cough uncontrollably. Desperate to stifle the sound, he covered his mouth with his hand, but from the phone came Inko's fractured and trembling voice calling out for Hisashi.

— Hisashi, hello? Please answer, I beg of you; don't leave me alone. — Dismissing his coughing fit, he finally responded to the call, still struggling to breathe as remnants of his previous ordeal lingered.

— I'm *cough* here *cough*, Inko. — The sound of her coughing husband startled her, but Hisashi quickly moved to reassure her.

— I'm fine; don't worry about the cough. I sat under the air conditioner for too long yesterday and caught a cold, but I saw the doctor today, and he assured me that I should be back to normal in two days. — Attempting to lighten the mood with humor regarding his cough, Hisashi swiftly eased her concerns. He decided to inquire about her emotional state, for after two years away, he was out of touch with the dynamics within their home. He was hesitant to send spies, as he lacked confidence in even the most devoted ones; even if he could manipulate them to his will, the stakes were simply too high. Despite his physical absence, he had compensated as a father and husband by sending generous amounts of money each week for their expenses, allowing Izuku to indulge in whatever he desired.

— Now, tell me, Inko, what has made you so sad? I truly do not want to hear or think about you feeling unhappy, — All For One inquired, his tone commanding, yet filled with concern, as he recognized her importance as the first person in his life who saw beyond mere quirks. Although he had previously showcased his fire breath to her, she refrained from probing further about his quirk, which was quite remarkable in a society where quirks held such pivotal significance. A person like Inko was a rare gem—one in a million, perhaps even a billion—and witnessing her in tears was unacceptable to anyone who dared to utter a negative word about her.

Simultaneously with his words, Inko felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over her: the weight of her role as a wife and mother, combined with an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair. She grappled with the reality that she could not support her son in his most vulnerable moment when he was crying uncontrollably in front of the doctor and her. Children are inherently pure beings, and a single misguided word or action could leave an indelible mark on their memories, haunting them throughout their lives; thus, the adage "adults are just big children" rings true.

— Well, I... I... or rather, Izuku and I went to the doctor to check for quirks, — she began, trailing off at the last word, hinting at the gravity of the situation. However, All For One was so engrossed in the issue at hand that he overlooked the dramatic pause.

— Please, continue; I'm listening.

— Prior to that day, we had been playing together in the evening, excitedly discussing his dream of becoming a hero, wanting to emulate All Might, and even aspire to surpass him—a hero who battles not just villains, but also the problems faced by people. — The mere mention of All Might ignited a flicker of anger within All For One, yet he resolved that since Izuku's dream was to become a hero who aids others, he would assist him, albeit in his own unique manner.

— He played with such bravery, recounting his imagined adventures as a hero. Can you believe it? He, like you, dramatically crafted a motto for his heroic identity. He mirrors you so closely, even adopting your mannerisms. — Inko chuckled at this charming moment, eliciting a satisfied smile from AFO at the sound of her joyful laughter and at Izuku's adorable antics. Clearly intrigued, All For One pressed Inko for more information about her son, causing her to exhale nervously.

— I asked him questions about you, but he avoided them at all costs. Although he was reluctant to discuss you, he kept mimicking your mannerisms—how you walk and even how you eat. Isn't that sweet, Hisashi? His behavior clearly expresses how much he misses you. — Inko remarked, her smile reflecting the joy of seeing her son emulate his father, a testament to his enduring love for Hisashi, who had been absent for quite some time. He felt a surge of warmth at the realization that Izuku was imitating his poetic expressions, melting the ice that had encased All For One's heart, filling him with warmth. For a fleeting moment, he almost forgot about his cough until she reminded him of it.

— Please, continue, Inko; I am genuinely interested. — With these words, Inko's mood shifted from positivity to neutrality.

— Let's return to the moment we spent in the hospital. I took him there, and we sat together. Izuku was positively glowing with happiness that day, a day he had eagerly anticipated. The doctor conducted all the necessary tests, but his demeanor shifted dramatically: he greeted us with enthusiasm, yet as soon as he concluded the tests, his mood plummeted. He hesitated to share his findings, but... — All For One felt a wave of anxiety wash over him at the prospect of what Inko might reveal next, already suspecting the nature of the news.

— Just as he was about to disclose the diagnosis, a one-year-old girl burst into the room, mirroring Izuku in cuteness. Together, they formed an adorable duo.

— Hmmm, my boy already has a girlfriend; I'm delighted for my little one.

— The doctor informed us that he was quirkless, but that's not all. Due to the genetic mutations that occur in quirkless individuals, his blood has become unique. He can serve as a universal donor for everyone, but if he ever requires a blood transfusion, no blood, not even ours, would be suitable for him. If he received someone else's blood, he would perish. — The thought that her only son could potentially suffer an injury and die plunged Inko into further despair. This was her cherished child who brought joy into her life each day. Taking a deep breath, she finally conveyed her anxieties, but this was still merely the tip of the iceberg.

All For One was taken aback by this revelation, but what truly perplexed him was the information regarding Izuku's blood. He had never encountered such a situation: his quirkless son had somehow become extraordinary in his eyes. All For One realized that if he did not take control of this situation, the tragedies reported in the news, particularly the suicides of quirkless individuals—a phenomenon society dismissively termed "the end of nothing"—could very well repeat with his only heir. In an effort to comfort Inko, he spoke soothingly, delivering the words she had been longing to hear.

— Do not worry, my dear wife; I will return home in two days, and I will do everything possible to ensure Izuku's happiness. Just allow me to finalize my affairs, and then we will embark on a well-deserved vacation to Kagoshima Prefecture. — Before I hear your answer, may I ask for the name of the girl who met Izuku? — Enthusiastically proposing this, All For One ignited a spark of joy in Inko at the news that her husband would soon return from his business trip, with the vacation being an unexpected bonus. She was elated at the thought that he displayed genuine interest in Izuku's personal life. Without hesitation, she revealed the name of the girl who would play a significant role in Izuku's future.

— Nejire Hado. She's a lovely little girl with blue eyes and blue hair. Personality-wise, she is quite similar to Izuku, although she can be a bit arrogant and incredibly curious. — His description of the girl thrilled him, and he became eager to learn more about her parents.

— But there's more: when they told Izuku he was quirkless, she, upon hearing his cries, rushed in immediately, opened the door, and embraced him. I couldn't even comprehend what transpired; I tried to comfort the sobbing Izuku but failed. Yet she, through her hugs or perhaps some magical influence, managed to reassure him, and after just five minutes of conversation, he seemed to feel better.

— I believe that after I return home, I will meet Nejire's parents. Finding someone who looks at a quirkless individual with genuine care and concern is practically a rarity. Support their relationship, Inko, and do not allow them to quarrel. — Inko chuckled at her husband's remarks, realizing that her romantic and caring husband had already facilitated their connection well before their official wedding at just four years old.

— I never expected you to be so invested in their relationship. — Proudly puffing out his chest, All For One allowed his emotions to flow freely, spinning in his chair, smiling, and gazing at the ceiling.

— This is my son, and I will do everything in my power to ensure he feels good about himself.

— Ahah, he rushed home after school today, insisting that we hurry so we could finally return home. According to him, Nejire was waiting for him in their secret base that no one should know about. Ah, how quickly children grow up. — After making this remark, Inko chose to remain silent about the earlier incident involving the crying Izuku, who looked at her with a hopeful expression.

— Can I be a hero like you, Mom? — Inko dashed to him, accidentally dropping the plate of dango she had brought for Izuku after their visit to the doctor.

With tears streaming down her face, she enveloped her son in a tight embrace, while he grasped her hand, wiping away the fresh tears that had formed, and began to cry even harder, rubbing his eyes against his mother's shirt.

— I'm so sorry, Izuku. I truly am sorry. — Izuku did not anticipate such a response from his mother and resigned himself to the painful truth that she would not be able to provide him with the moral support he needed to become a hero.

As they continued to converse for over an hour about various topics, they might have continued even longer if Inko had not pointed out the time that had slipped away like a comet during their heartfelt exchange.

— Goodnight, my dear. I love you.

— And I love you too, dear.

— Don't worry, Izuku; I will be home soon, and you will never have to worry about being quirkless. — While he was lost in thought, someone knocked on the door, and in a cold tone, he said:

— Come in.

The door opened to reveal Doctor Garaki, who entered confidently, removing his white coat and placing it into the pocket of his lab coat.

— Sir, your plan is nearing completion, and you need to finalize the last details to bring it to fruition. — AFO felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him, pleased that such a grand scheme was being executed with remarkable efficiency. Tomorrow would mark a significant triumph for him in front of the people of Japan, as the very pillar of peace and justice would fall before their eyes, alongside the other pro-heroes of Japan.

— Excellent, my old friend; I take great pride in having such a capable scientist by my side. — Pride radiated from every aspect of Doctor Garaki as he puffed out his chest while AFO stood up from his chair and approached him.

— Let's go; show me everything you have prepared for the heroes.

**To be continued.**