My hero academia:Am I worthy?

As the sun gradually descended beneath the horizon, it painted the sky in a breathtaking palette of orange and pink hues, casting a warm, inviting glow over the buildings below. Within this enchanting orange-pink atmosphere, a pair — a mother and her son — strolled back from the supermarket, their hands filled with groceries intended for a special celebration. The father and husband was expected to return after a prolonged absence, and the anticipation of his arrival filled the air with excitement. They were eagerly awaiting his return: one for the thrilling games and captivating stories he would share from work, and the other for the love and nurturing care she yearned for so desperately.

Together, the mother and son busily adorned their home in preparation for his long-awaited arrival. Inko was in the kitchen, skillfully whipping up delectable dishes, while young Izuku meticulously set the dining table, arranging utensils and plates with careful precision to ensure everything looked absolutely perfect. Following his mother's wise advice to dress appropriately for the occasion, four-year-old Izuku donned a charming green shirt paired with crisp white pants, striving to look presentable for the arrival of his father. He gazed intently at the door, hoping it would swing open at any moment to reveal his dad, yet the anticipated magic did not occur.

"Where is Dad?" Izuku pondered internally, wondering why he was late when he had promised to return.

A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in the young boy's mind, and he began to entertain the possibility that something might have happened to his father. However, he quickly brushed aside these troubling thoughts, reassured by the knowledge that Hisashi was both strong and wise, despite his age. The promised hour of 9:00 PM slipped silently into 10:00 PM. What felt like mere minutes dragged on into what seemed like hours, and as the festive dinner was finally prepared, Izuku cast a questioning glance at Inko, his eyes silently pleading, "Where is he?"

Yet, his mother could only shrug her shoulders, uncertainty clouding her expression as she fished out her phone. Dialing Hisashi's number, she awaited a response that never came. Instead, the voice of an automated message filled the silence.

"Hello, this is Hisashi. I apologize for not being able to answer your call. I recommend calling back later."

As his father's voice echoed in the room, Izuku felt a flicker of hope, believing perhaps he would respond. But Inko shook her head in disappointment, signaling that Hisashi had not picked up. Despondently, Izuku sank onto the couch, resting his hands against his cheeks and staring down at the floor, a frown etched across his face. Not wanting her son to bear the burden of self-blame, Inko approached him and enveloped him in a comforting embrace.

"Don't worry, my dear. Perhaps your father is simply running late. You know how busy he can be. He works hard so that we can live comfortably," Inko reassured him, her tone a blend of sadness and optimism.

Gazing at the glass table, Izuku came to the realization that he should give his father a chance and refrain from judging too harshly. Lying on the couch, he found himself contemplating how his father would react to his dreams, and just as a rumble echoed from his stomach, he glanced over at the table. Inko, noticing the humorous turn of events, suggested they sit together for dinner, hoping that maybe, just maybe, his father would arrive with a cheerful greeting.

"Hey, everyone! Did you miss me?"

Yet that moment never came. Reflecting on the events of the day, Izuku eventually retreated to his bedroom, mulling over the unfinished business that lay ahead. As he closed his eyes, he pushed aside thoughts of his father and focused instead on a brighter prospect: his time with Nejire. Tomorrow was a holiday, a day free from worries, allowing him the freedom to spend the whole day with her. No matter how energetic and hyperactive Nejire was, he knew one undeniable truth: life was never dull with her around, regardless of his mood.

The following morning dawned with a refreshing spring breeze, invigorating Izuku as he rose, filled with anticipation for the day ahead. Upon arriving at their secret base, hidden beneath a blanket of grass, he spotted her vibrant blue hair and called out her name.

"Nejireeeeee!" Izuku shouted, and she, not wanting to be outdone, joyfully reciprocated by calling out his affectionate nickname.

"Springy!" Nejire exclaimed as she dashed towards him with all her might. In her excitement, she accidentally triggered her quirk, propelling herself forward just as they were about to embrace. She stumbled into Izuku, who, in turn, lost his balance but managed to catch her. They exchanged bright smiles, standing upright and brushing off the dirt as they gazed into each other's eyes.

Nejire's eyes sparkled with a unique charm — their beauty not only captivated Izuku but also instilled in him a deep sense of trust.

"What are we going to do today, Izuku? It's so dull around here," Nejire inquired, and Izuku contemplated how her quirk functioned. However, he decided to set those thoughts aside for the moment.

"Oh, I know just the thing we can do!" Despite the sunny day, a gentle breeze inspired him to suggest making a paper airplane to guide their adventures. Nejire's curiosity surged, and she twirled around Izuku, eager to discover what he was pulling from his backpack. Pulling out a sheet of paper, he began folding it with great care into the shape of an airplane.

"What's that, Izuku?" Nejire asked, resting her finger on her chin as Izuku proudly demonstrated the airplane, extending it triumphantly towards the sky.

"This is a paper airplane, Nejire, and you're going to launch it, and we'll race after it!" In truth, Izuku was curious about how Nejire's quirk operated, and through the paper airplane, he sought to gauge her strength in comparison to his own.

"Oh, thank you, Izuku!" Handing the airplane over to her, she accepted it with delight, her eyes shining with joy. However, just before she was about to launch it, Izuku interrupted her.

"Wait, Nejire, do you think you could use your quirk on it? I believe it would be even better if you don't mind." Nejire blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy hue as she beamed at him with an endearing expression that was impossible to resist, and she could not bring herself to refuse.

"Of course, Springy!" Holding the airplane in her hand, she tossed it into the air, activating her quirk and sending it soaring ahead. Izuku's heart raced with excitement as he sprinted after the plane.

"Let's go, Nejire! It's adventure time!" Nejire quickly dashed after him, soon catching up. They maneuvered through branches and bushes, chasing the paper airplane that danced in the air above them, carefully avoiding any potential obstacles. Izuku couldn't help but smile as he watched Nejire's joyful antics until he realized they had emerged from the woods, staring at an expansive field and the river that sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

Succumbing to her adventurous spirit, Nejire pressed on, unaware of the trembling ground beneath her feet. The earth suddenly gave way, and she nearly fell if Izuku hadn't reached out and caught her hand just in time. Shocked by the sudden shift, she looked down to find the ground three meters below her, sending a wave of panic coursing through her. Instinctively, she felt as though she would tumble, her heart racing, until she lifted her gaze and found comfort in the steady grip of her friend.

"Hold on, Nejire!" He braced himself on the ground, hoisting her up with all his strength until he could finally pull her safely to him. He noticed her eyes were shut tight in fear as she clutched his hand fiercely, her nails digging into his skin. Although Izuku felt a twinge of pain, he refused to let go until he had her safely cradled in his arms.

As they fell together to the ground, Izuku managed to save his friend from harm. She nestled her head against his stomach, embracing him tightly and unwilling to release her grip, making it challenging for him to breathe.

Nejire's embrace was warm and filled with an unexpected strength, so much so that Izuku found himself making playful grimaces until she raised her head, noticing the amusing situation, which brought a smile to her face.

"Oh, Springy, you look so funny!" she giggled, tightening her hug around him, causing his eyes to widen in surprise at her unexpected strength. She had to let go, however, when she heard Izuku's muffled groans.

"Izuku, you're a hero!!!" Nejire exclaimed, creating a delightful chaos in the boy's mind, prompting him to seek clarification.

He had always thought it impossible to become a hero and had doubted his own potential. Even his mother sometimes expressed pity for his lack of a quirk. However, Nejire's words filled him with a sense of pride, and he remained still until she continued.

"Haha, I believe you'd make an extraordinary hero, Springy. Don't worry; in the future, we'll become the best hero duo!" As she stood up, Nejire brushed off the dirt from her clothes and helped Izuku to his feet.

"Thank you, Nejire. I'll cherish this moment forever. Now let's head to the river; I see something glimmering!" Izuku took Nejire's hand, carefully navigating down the slope to avoid any mishaps. Upon reaching the riverbank, they spotted something sparkling at the bottom.

Fueled by curiosity, Izuku was the first to reach into the water. As he felt something peculiar, he lifted it from the bottom. It turned out to be a shell, and they eagerly drew closer, inspecting it from every angle. Their intrigue grew as they pondered what could be inside, and Nejire picked up a nearby stick, starting to poke at it in hopes of eliciting a response, but nothing happened.

"I don't think there's anything in there, Springy," Izuku remarked as he leaned in closer, picking up the shell. He tapped it and shook it gently, but there was no reply. Carefully, he pried it open with his nail and began to reveal a dazzling pearl, reminiscent of something from a cartoon. Izuku's eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned to Nejire, who was watching him with rapt attention, eager to join in the discovery.

"Look at this! It's so beautiful!" Izuku exclaimed, glancing over to Nejire. She gasped in awe, captivated by the way the pearl glimmered in the sunlight like something out of a fairy tale. Izuku pondered what to do with it, ultimately deciding that the best course of action was to gift it to Nejire.

"Take it, Nejire. I think it suits you far better than it does me." Feeling a bit awkward, Izuku scratched the back of his head, gazing at Nejire, whose eyes lit up with delight at the generous offering.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Izuku! This is so beautiful; I won't forget this!" Nejire exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy. Not knowing where to safely store the pearl, Izuku offered her his bag for transportation, and she gladly accepted. After a moment of contemplation, Nejire suggested they search for more shells in the little river that resembled more of a gentle stream than a full-fledged river. Unfortunately, they didn't manage to find any additional pearls at the bottom.

"Alright, I think it's time for us to head back to the base." However, Nejire did not respond to his suggestion; instead, a heavy silence enveloped them, causing Izuku to feel a pang of concern. He turned to check on her well-being, only to be met with a sight that sent a wave of apprehension through him — she was standing precariously close to the stream's edge, prompting the young hero to rush over to her.

"Nejire, Nejire!" As he approached, the last thing he expected happened.

"Boo!!!" Nejire spun around suddenly, startling Izuku, who stumbled backward and landed in the stream with a splash. Meanwhile, Nejire stood nearby, a playful grin on her face as she apologized for her antics.

"I'm sorry, Izuku! I thought it would be so much fun! You seemed a bit down when we didn't find any more shells." As Izuku lay on his back in the stream, dripping wet, he chose to embrace the joyful moment and playfully splashed water in her direction. She instinctively shielded herself from the droplets, but soon enough, she joined in the fun, splashing water back at him.

The pair laughed and played until they were drenched to the bone, but they paid no mind to their soaked clothes as they made their way home, giggling all the while. On their journey back to the base, Izuku decided to inquire about Nejire's family.

"Nejire, who is your dad?" Nejire had been eagerly anticipating this question, and she responded with enthusiasm.

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked, Springy! His name is Tadao Hado, and he works as a police officer. In a way, he's a hero himself — he catches all the bad guys!" She animatedly mimicked holding a gun with her fingers, winking one eye and making playful "pew pew" sounds.

"And what about your dad, Springy? What does he do?" Izuku hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer, as he didn't genuinely know what his father did for a living. Even Inko was uncertain. After a brief moment of contemplation, he decided to share what little he knew.

"Um, his name is Hisashi Midoriya, and he's a businessman. He works a lot, and sometimes he isn't home for long stretches. I haven't seen him in two years, but he's supposed to come today," Izuku replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice, as he wasn't entirely sure about his father's whereabouts. Sensing his unease, Nejire gently patted him on the shoulder, offering him support.

"Don't worry, Izuku. He'll be here soon!" she reassured him, her tone carrying a touch of sadness, as she was aware that her friend was being honest about his situation, and she wanted to reciprocate that honesty.

"What happened to your mom, Blueberry?" The term "Blueberry" brightened her mood, and she began to respond with renewed energy.

"She left us. I really don't know why, but when she was getting ready to leave, she yelled at Dad some really mean things and just walked away." While it was a painful memory, Nejire refused to let it dampen her spirits, as her friendship with Izuku helped her forget her troubles for a while. However, she began to show signs of vulnerability, tears welling up in her eyes, and almost spilling over if not for Izuku, who instinctively wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her back. The burden she carried began to lift, and she didn't want to ruin the tender moment, so she embraced him tightly in return.

Nejire had always been curious, inspired by her father, who frequently played with her and shared fascinating stories and facts about the world, nurturing her inquisitive nature. However, her mother disapproved of this adventurous spirit, believing that too much curiosity could lead to trouble. On one occasion, Nejire had nearly gotten hurt, which caused her mother distress, as she didn't always shower her daughter with affection, reserving most of it for her father.

Conflicts arose within their family dynamic due to her mother's reluctance to spend money on Nejire, which ultimately culminated in their divorce. However, her father devoted himself to raising her, and it was his influence that instilled in her the boundless curiosity and energy she possessed. Understanding her complex emotions, Nejire sometimes felt responsible for the dissolution of her family, a weight that burdened her until Izuku entered her life — a friend who listened attentively and supported her despite her hyperactive tendencies.

"Nejire, please don't cry. When you want to cry, I feel like crying too," Izuku said, and Nejire, ever playful, decided to tease him a little.

"Does that mean you see me as more than just a friend?" Izuku was taken aback by the question, and he simply replied "yes," as he genuinely wanted to comfort her, just as his mother had done for him in the past.

"Yeah," he said, keeping his response brief as he let her go. They both remained damp from the stream's water, and Nejire decided to invite him to her home since the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with warm orange tones.

"Nejire, I think it's getting late. Would you like to spend the night at my place? You can see my action figure collection that I've told you about!"

"That sounds amazing! But I have a question: will your dad be there?" she asked, curious as she only knew her own mother.

"He won't be there, but he'll be happy that I have a friend like you!" Although this sounded overly sentimental, Nejire paid little mind to it, captivated by the whimsical nature of her friend, who often found himself mumbling as he expressed the unique facets of his character.

As Izuku and his friend walked towards his home, they found Inko busy preparing dinner for them. Upon noticing their wet and muddy state, yet seeing their happy smiles, she couldn't help but ask.

"Izuku, Nejire, why are you both soaking wet?" They both had dirty shoes, which they promptly removed, but they were more interested in whether Nejire could stay overnight.

"Mom, can Nejire stay with us for the night?" Izuku asked, giving her his best puppy-dog eyes, a look that worked 90% of the time on Inko. She kindly agreed but with a few conditions.

"Of course, sweetheart, but only if you change into dry clothes and let Nejire borrow something suitable so she doesn't stay wet." At this, Nejire's face lit up with joy, and she excitedly began shaking Izuku like a doll.

"Did you hear that, Izuku? Your mom said I can stay the night!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she recalled that his father was due to arrive that evening.

She called her own father and informed him of her plans; he was supportive and agreed to work the night shift. Sharing a meal with the Midoriya family, Nejire learned a great deal about their unique household, which welcomed her as a new member, ready to play an active role in their lives.

Yet, Izuku's future appeared increasingly uncertain, as the seeds of discrimination against the Quirkless were beginning to sprout within society, a conflict that would come to play a pivotal role in his life. This character would become the catalyst for Izuku Midoriya's growth, propelling him to heights he had never imagined.

— To be continued.

[9 chapters until the appearance of Venom]