My hero academia:Am I worthy?

Flying over the city with the help of symbiotic tendrils, Izuku admired how he was able to prevent crimes and protect the streets from villains. However, he considered this only the beginning and reminded himself never to think he was doing more than others. This was his first day as an unofficial hero. His coat billowed in the wind, and every passerby who saw him thought he was a hero, but no one knew who was beneath the mask. If someone were to see his face, they would be amazed at how a quirkless child had gained the power to defeat foes. Society is ready to see a hero as a savior, but never ponders what lies beneath the costumes. If All Might had not humiliated him that day, Izuku would have felt differently about him. He was ready to strive for his dream, to train and learn, but he heard "no," which shattered his hopes.

"You have no chance of becoming a hero without quirks," — these words were unexpected for Midoriya. He was almost ready to accept his fate and live with the humiliations he received at school. But deep down, there remained two feelings: hatred and a faint hope.

He harbored hatred toward All Might, who humiliated him in front of the entire country. All his teachers and classmates laughed at him when All Might turned away. The anger boiled within him, for his idol, who told everyone that anyone could be a hero, did not keep his word. If not for Venom, Izuku was afraid to think about what he might have done to himself that day. Now he had the power to protect people, and he intended to use it, as it was his only chance to achieve his goal. However, Izuku couldn't blindly trust his abilities — he needed more. Power was good, but combined with his intellect, he could become a truly outstanding hero.

Immersed in thought, he soared over the city, performing flips, for the city was already asleep, and no one would notice him if it weren't for the sound of a civilian helicopter. The noise alarmed him, and trying to hide, he started running across buildings to reach the roof. Running swiftly, Izuku wanted to test what he had in mind.

"Do you think this will work, Izuku?" — Venom asked, doubting his plan but deciding not to interfere out of curiosity.

"We won't know until we try," — Izuku replied, climbing onto the roof. He heard the helicopter approaching. With symbiotic tendrils, he grabbed the edge of the roof and, using his power, pulled himself taut like a slingshot. When there was no more room to retreat, he launched himself like a torpedo, slicing through the air, his coat whipping behind him. The acceleration and speed were incredible, and, exhilarated by the speed, he shouted.

"YESSS!!!" — Venom was surprised by his host's action and took control of the body, creating webbed wings for gliding. Izuku didn't mind, but the sound of the air and the wind in his face was intoxicating. The helicopter sounds disappeared, losing sight of him among the massive buildings. Finally, he reached his home. The apartment building was dimly lit — not surprising since it was 3:27 AM, and no one would expect a hero to fly past their building in a residential area. Entering his home through the window and closing it, Izuku mentally opened his face from the symbiotic mask and, removing his hat, began undressing slowly, removing each piece of his costume.

"And what about food? We feel hungry. We need food, or I'll take control, and we'll eat people, Midoriya," — what he heard did not please Izuku. He realized he would have to stock up on food for at least a week, or else his usual weekly ration wouldn't last even two days. His caloric intake had increased from 2300 to 4000, if not 5000, due to the symbiote's power.

"Alright, I'll cook something, just let me take a shower. Patrolling may be exciting, but it takes a lot of energy," — Venom grumbled but agreed, as he couldn't cook unlike his host.

"Wait, if we're one, you'll shower with me?" — Izuku was puzzled, as it was his personal space.

"Yes, and what's wrong with that? You'll shower, get clean, what's the problem?" — Venom had read about etiquette but hadn't reached the section on personal space.

"Could you detach so I can shower alone?" — Izuku replied with a hint of awkwardness.

"Hahaha, I can control your body, do you think I don't know what's between your legs?" — Izuku blushed instantly but accepted his fate.

"Alright, but don't come out of me, understood?" — Venom just smirked but decided to play along.

"Oh yes, great lord, your humble servant dare not gaze upon your majesty," — Venom joked. Izuku shook his head but still removed everything except his underwear, placing a towel on his shoulder as he headed to the bathroom.

Izuku sat in the hot water, covering his face with his hands to hide his flushed cheeks. The water around him bubbled uneasily, as if reflecting his nervousness. Next to him, noticeably, Venom splashed around, taking on a more fluid and streamlined form, as if trying to adapt to the situation.

"Izuku," — the deep, slightly guttural voice of the symbiote resounded, — "why so tense? We're both here to relax."

"I-is this... n-normal?" — Izuku stammered, struggling to breathe evenly. His embarrassment was on the verge of explosion. "After all, you're... you're part of my body."

Venom thoughtfully moved, forming a ring of black mass around him. Then, as if playfully scrutinizing, he began to examine Izuku's slender body.

"You're too skinny," — noted Venom. "That's not right."

"W-what?" — Izuku looked at him in confusion.

"Nejire won't like it," — continued the symbiote. "You want to make an impression, right? Then you need muscles. I read that girls like muscular and tall guys."

"D-don't say such things so loudly!" — exclaimed Izuku, nearly jumping in the water from embarrassment.

Venom merely shifted slightly, making a sound that was either a chuckle or a sigh.

"Relax, kid. We're working towards a goal. And maybe someday you'll stop blushing so much."

Izuku submerged his face in the water to hide, leaving Venom once again "satisfied" with his reaction.

Surprised at how he knew about Nejire, Izuku decided to ask directly.

"Wait, how do you know Nejire?" — asked Izuku, embarrassed and covering his waist with his hands.

"I know all your memories and your past, and Nejire holds a special place there," — the memories of Nejire were bright, without any quarrels or conflicts, except when Nejire teased him in various ways.

"Stop covering your waist, there's nothing to see," — Venom embarrassed Izuku even more, but he gathered the courage to respond.

"Hey, people's weaknesses should be respected, not belittled," — to which Venom laughed and tapped Izuku on the head with a tendril.

"Don't talk about us as weak. In your mind and thoughts, I know any weakness can be eliminated. Why aren't you acting?"

Izuku sighed deeply, removing his hands from his waist. It was pointless, as Venom already knew everything, even if he was an alien.

"I doubt it. The words All Might said still affect me, and knowing what names I've been called, I doubt my actions," — though Venom was foreign to this world, he understood his host's feelings and what he was experiencing, but couldn't understand why he focused on the words of strangers who didn't know him.

"Why pay attention to the words of those who don't know who you are?" — it was a contradictory question to which Izuku seemed to have an answer, yet also didn't. Spreading his legs at the edge of the bath and gazing at the ceiling, he pondered what to tell Venom.

"I... I don't know what to say. You know, people are social beings, and for most of us, it's hard to imagine life without loved ones. Mom was the one who supported me, and after she left this life, it became difficult. I have no close people, except Nejire," — Venom grumbled at his words and directed a stream of cold water that refreshed him.

"Hey, stop, don't do that!" — Izuku yelled, shielding himself from the cold water with his hands. Venom obeyed but remained displeased with him.

"You're weak, admit it. Even with the powers you possess, you remain weak. Sometimes the past is painful, it's contradictory," — Midoriya understood Venom's words and that the past caused him pain, but he was afraid to take decisive steps as the new always frightened him, no matter how much he said he was fine.

"Perhaps you're right. I always wanted to be a hero, but everyone in my life told me I wasn't worthy, except Nejire and Mom. Although I won't see my mom again, I cherish every moment with her. They believed in me and didn't turn away when I sought help," — Venom smirked at Midoriya's words, as it was new to him. The term "close person" was unfamiliar. He merged with Midoriya two days ago, and he had much to learn to understand people, especially his host.

"I see, but I think you'll have to face reality. If you can't change the past, you have the opportunity to change your future for better or worse," — Izuku lowered his head and met Venom's gaze, which expressed a kind of smirk, but his trust in Venom was growing.

"I understand. Having gained power, I feel responsible for my actions. I gained this power thanks to you, and I want to dedicate it to saving people so that children won't mourn their parents. I want to be a hero who solves people's problems, even if I hide my face under a mask," — Venom interrupted Midoriya with a smirk and, as always, became the counterforce to his ideology.

"You're too young to think about this. These people mocked you, they don't deserve saving. If they're such hypocrites that they're ready to laugh at a teenager striving for his dream, then such people have no place," — Venom thought about himself and Izuku's well-being, for his physical and mental state affected him. Venom had his own character, different from Izuku's. He was selfish and pragmatic, thinking only of himself, which he considered right, whereas Izuku thought of others, neglecting his own well-being, which irritated him.

"It's not for me to decide who lives or dies. Human life is valuable, and I see nothing wrong with thinking about oneself, but..." — Venom interrupted him, closing his mouth with a tendril.

"You're incomplete, you don't value yourself, you place yourself below others. You crave recognition from those ready to praise you, but once you turn away, you get stabbed in the back. You sought All Might's recognition, but he ridiculed and humiliated you. You have no friends or support, and that's why you want to be a hero," — Izuku was speechless from Venom's words. He was right, and it was hard to dispute his arguments. Venom wished the best for his host, for him to become better, but due to problems he partly created himself, Izuku was at a standstill, unable to move forward in life.

"Are you ready to live deceiving yourself to avoid your problems? You understand the root of your problem but aren't planning to solve it. You're a coward, you would've remained so if not for me. If you believe in fate, accept the present and stop living in the past. People will keep leaving, even Nejire will leave," — Izuku lowered his head, looking at the water. Everything said by Andy he denied, not wanting to face the problem. He feared he wouldn't be able to take a step without losing a part of himself. All these thoughts swirled in his mind, and Andy merely voiced his thoughts aloud, something Izuku would never dare to say.

"I don't know what to do," — inside and in his head, everything tightened to a critical point. His problems were the main reason for his weakness. Trying to manage internal anxiety, he was on the brink of despair, until he felt Venom's piercing gaze.

"Am I wrong?" — as much as Izuku wanted to deny it, but, gritting his heart and soul, he confirmed his words in a cold tone.

"Yes," — Izuku replied, looking resolutely at Venom. Izuku realized his problem, which was his first step out of despair he'd been in for years. Tendrils formed into a symbiotic hand, asking Izuku to shake it.

"If you can keep a promise, then promise before your friend to become who you've long dreamed of, without regrets and remorse, Izuku Midoriya," — dispelling fear and worries, Izuku clasped Andy's hand and, for the first time in years, looked decisively into Andy's eyes.

"I promise to fulfill my dream, no matter how thorny the path. I'll fall but always stand up, despite problems," — Izuku placed his hand on his heart, making a promise to Andy from the bottom of his heart. Venom heard and saw the resolute tone of his host and was satisfied, smirking.

"Arise... Izuku... Midorya," — Venom whispered, showing his sinister smile.

Izuku stood up from the bath, ready for new challenges, and finally accepted his fate, but there was one problem: he was naked.

"First put on pants before waving your hose. It's inappropriate," — realizing his mistake, Izuku blushed immediately and covered himself. Exiting the bath at Venom's request, he headed to the kitchen, anticipating a feast for his partner.

In the spacious kitchen, filled with numerous products, Izuku Midoriya bustled around the stove, carefully checking several pots and pans simultaneously. Beside him, like a shadow, stood Venom, the pitch-black symbiote, occasionally interfering with the process by extending long tendrils to help.

"Venom, be careful with the knife!" — Izuku flinched when one of the tendrils grabbed a large knife and started quickly slicing carrots. "We don't need extra holes in the countertop!"

"We KNOW this," — the symbiote replied with a light hiss. "But you're too slow! We want meat, lots of meat!"

In the background, meat was indeed already cooking: steaks on the grill, kebabs in the oven, and a large piece of beef slowly roasting with herbs. In a nearby pot, a thick broth full of potatoes, noodles, and chicken was boiling. On the skillet, an omelet with cheese, ham, and a bit of greens sizzled.

"We agreed there'd be balance," — Izuku said with a hint of indignation, adding fresh vegetables to the salad. "Not just meat! We need more carbs and healthy fats."

"We agree, but we need more energy!" — Venom, without waiting, grabbed a jar of peanut butter and dumped it into the dough Izuku was preparing for cookies.

"This was supposed to be dessert!" — Izuku protested but then waved his hand. "Fine, let it be."

Mountains of dishes grew on the table: huge servings of pasta with cheese sauce, fried rice with vegetables, chicken wings in honey-mustard sauce, several pizzas with thick layers of cheese and meat. For dessert — chocolate muffins with protein cream and homemade protein bars.

"This looks… impressive," — Izuku mumbled, gazing at the mountain of food.

"It's MAJESTIC!" — Venom's booming voice echoed. He gleefully grabbed a piece of meat and sent it into his maw with one motion.

Izuku just smiled. Cooking with Venom turned out to be much more chaotic than he thought, but judging by the result, it was worth it.

The kitchen filled with reverent noise: creaking chairs, clinking forks and spoons, and barely audible growls from Venom, who was already anticipating the feast. Izuku sat at the table, looking at the mountains of food before them — a real food marathon for five thousand calories.

"Well then… bon appétit," — Izuku mumbled, smiling uncertainly and reaching for a plate of pasta.

"NO TIME TO DILLY-DALLY!" — Venom boomed, stretching a tendril and pulling three plates towards himself at once. He ravenously devoured the steak, leaving not even a drop of juice.

"Venom, you'll crush everything!" — Izuku protested, though he couldn't suppress a chuckle. The symbiote resembled a hungry giant child who had just discovered an all-you-can-eat buffet.

"We WAITED for this all day! We need protein!" — Venom launched another tendril, grabbing a slice of pizza and catapulting it straight into his maw. "AHH, the cheese STRETCHES, LIKE WE LOVE!"

"Alright, alright!" — Izuku conceded, tearing off a crunchy piece of bread and dipping it into the meat sauce. "But don't eat so fast, or you'll lose the pleasure of enjoying the food!"

"THIS FOOD IS MADE FOR DEVOURING!" — Venom gleefully sent four protein muffins inside, and Izuku could hear the satisfied chewing within the symbiote.

Gradually, the chaos on the table transformed into a cozy dinner. Izuku ate calmly, savoring each bite: tender wings with honey sauce, juicy pasta where the cheese stretched a meter long, and large pieces of baked meat with a golden crust. Venom, on the other hand, worked on "speed": his tendrils flitted around the table, grabbing salad, fried rice, and another pizza.

"You seem like you want to win an eating contest," — Izuku noted when the symbiote consumed an entire portion of rice without noticing the spoon.

"We HAVE WON. We DESERVE IT." — Venom's voice was satisfied, low, almost purring.

By the end of the meal, the table looked like a battlefield: several empty plates were stacked, bowls of sauces lay on their sides, and in the center was just a small piece of dessert left.

"Do you want the last muffin?" — Izuku asked, slightly out of breath from the amount of food eaten.

"We are generous… it's yours," — Venom proclaimed with pomp, reclining in the chair. "We are SATISFIED."

Izuku smiled and delightedly took a bite of the chocolate muffin. A contented silence fell over the kitchen, broken only by the soft clinking of a spoon against the plate.

"You know, Venom," — Izuku said, examining the emptied table, — "maybe tomorrow we can try something less… grand?"

"WE AGREE… for breakfast." — Venom's voice wavered with drowsy satisfaction. "But for lunch… another FIVE THOUSAND CALORIES."

Izuku couldn't hold back his laughter. As strange as the day had been, he was definitely happy.

At the end of the meal, Izuku stretched comfortably on his chair with a full stomach, lazily stretching his arms, as he really didn't want to clean up the pile of dishes.

"Eh, and someone will have to clean all this up, you know?" — Izuku asked, looking at the satisfied and full Venom, who grinned.

"That's not my concern; I granted you power, so it's payment for its use," — Venom said, grinning wider, which made Izuku laugh.

"Fair enough," — Izuku admitted but still got up from the chair, gathering the dishes. The problem was that the week's supply of products had run out, and someone clearly needed to go shopping.

He had 100,000 yen in his account, which his father sent weekly, though he didn't answer his calls. Izuku still felt guilty for his quirklessness, which forced his father to leave and work hard, but Izuku didn't know the whole truth about his father, who he was, or where he was, though he was considered his legal parent, but hadn't appeared since leaving many years ago.

"And you know we'll have to go shopping for groceries tomorrow. Now I'll have to make a new shopping list," — Izuku said, washing the dishes, to which Andy snorted, speaking in a haughty tone.

"Yes, lots of food, go ahead, my master, we need more food," — Venom pulled a culinary book with a tendril and showed it to Izuku.

"Do we have ingredients for this breakfast?" — Venom uttered, pointing to an omelet with cheese.

"Well, for this morning's breakfast, we have enough, so I think we'll cook and then head out for groceries," — Venom internally rejoiced while Izuku washed the dishes. Meanwhile, Venom occupied himself with what interested him — reading books and studying human culture.

Having washed all the dishes, Izuku collapsed onto the bed, wishing Venom a good night.

"Good night."

"We don't need sleep, we need answers," — Venom said, turning on the lamp and reading a book about history.

"You know best," — Izuku drifted into the realm of Morpheus, finally earning a rest from all the heroic work.

****

Two days ago, after saving Fuyumi

In another dimension, hidden from human eyes, where pure energy and the threads of the One for All users intertwined. They all watched the quirkless boy named Izuku Midoriya from an astral universe, where no soul could enter except the One for All users. A dimension filled with pure energy accumulated through each user of the One for All quirk. While some felt sorry for the child, others agreed with All Might's actions. The first user of One for All, Shigaraki, deemed him worthy for his determination to become a hero, showing a heroic spirit, not retreating from his words even when All Might convinced him otherwise.

"I consider him worthy of this power. The child showed a spirit that even Toshinori lacked. I acknowledge that Yagi's actions against Izuku Midoriya were extremely harsh, but even in the face of his idol, he didn't despair and continued to stand his ground," — Shigaraki argued, sitting on the chair and looking at the following users of the quirk. Next was Nana Shimura

Shimura commented on her choice, siding with Shigaraki:

"Midoriya reminds me a lot of Toshinori when we first met. He was just as reckless but persistent, never backing down from his words. If he truly is quirkless and not lying, then he might be able to handle the power of One for All."

"It was harsh towards a child. He saved that girl, showing bravery and a desire to help others despite his weakness, proving his worth. The courage of the weak is truly impressive for his age," the fifth user, Daigoro, supported him. He hadn't taken the conversation with Toshinori seriously, but he appreciated the valor shown during the rescue.

"Whether he's a child or not, he still bears responsibility for his actions. It's foolish to pass on the quirk to a reckless child. What if he seeks revenge on those who've wronged him? He's brave, but hasn't revealed his true motives. What if he's an agent of All for One?" questioned the fourth user, Hikari, who doubted the wisdom of giving the quirk to a quirkless child.

"One rescue alone doesn't prove his worthiness to hold this power. If he wants to bear this power, his duty is to stop All for One. We, like him, have no time to play heroes. Our goal is to stop All for One once and for all, and if he sees this as a game, he's unworthy. We haven't seen his true character, his real reason for wanting to be a hero. The words spoken on the rooftop don't inspire confidence," the second user commented, remaining pragmatic.

"Your judgments are logical, but I propose sending someone to observe him. We can move in the real world without fear of being discovered, so I suggest sending one of us to decide once and for all if he is worthy of holding this power," proposed the sixth holder, known for his logic and intelligence.

"That's a sensible idea," the first user commented with a smile.

With a heavy sigh, the second holder stepped forward, volunteering himself:

"I'll go. He may be a child, but I sense he's special. I have a feeling he strives to be a hero, but what kind of hero? If he's like everyone else, all I'll have is disappointment, and he will remain voiceless, unable to use One for All."

Everyone nodded approvingly, as the vow of the One for All users stated: this power cannot be obtained; it must be earned through honesty and nobility.

---

Waking up to the buzzing of the alarm clock, Izuku, with his eyes still closed, fumbled for his phone. However, in a mischievous act, Andy had pressed the annoying sound of the alarm to his ear, forcing him to hear it over and over again. With a dissatisfied groan, cursing his dream, Izuku opened his eyes and met Venom's gaze.

"Good morning," he said, smiling at his host.

"It would be a good morning if you hadn't pressed the alarm to my ear," Izuku grumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. As he got out of bed, his legs ached with weakness, but overcoming this, he made his way to the bathroom, listening to Venom, who had become engrossed in books about the history of humanity and was sharing his thoughts on the cruelty of humankind.

"People are willing to kill for a piece of yellow metal, cloaking their actions in noble intentions," Venom remarked. Izuku listened with half an ear, marveling at the incredible capacity of Venom's memory, which could recall entire dates from bizarre epochs. Izuku also had a good memory, but he had never paid attention to things he deemed unnecessary, like most subjects. What was the point of studying the history of peculiar ages when it wasn't relevant to the present?

"Let's go eat; I'm starving after last night," Izuku said, nodding positively with a smile at his partner, even though he wasn't used to Venom's rapid-fire speech.

---

The kitchen was bustling with the sounds of knives clattering against cutting boards and the sizzling of oil in a hot pan. Izuku skillfully moved his hands, chopping green onions. Next to him stood Venom, or as he had been dubbed, the "Culinary Assistant," watching the process with keen interest, though occasionally trying to intervene.

"Are you sure the eggs need to be beaten that much?" Venom whispered in Izuku's mind, while a droplet of his liquid form reached toward the mixing bowl.

"Yes, otherwise the texture of the omelet will be off!" Izuku frowned slightly, stopping Venom before he could add anything unnecessary.

"Off? Nonsense. I can make it perfect. I'll just add a bit of... spices."

"No!" Izuku pushed the bowl away, simultaneously placing a pan on the stove. "You've already added 'a bit of spice.' We're not making anything strange; it's just a traditional Japanese breakfast!"

Venom grumbled in displeasure but refrained from arguing.

On the other side of the counter, the chopped vegetables, sheets of nori, and a small plate of grated radish waited. Izuku focused on frying the omelet, rolling it up neatly. Once he transferred it to a plate, Venom extended a long black tendril, attempting to garnish the dish with a sprig of dill.

"This is for aesthetics," he explained proudly, stretching himself out.

Izuku rolled his eyes but smiled.

"Alright, alright. Thanks for the help."

Meanwhile, on the adjacent burner, miso soup simmered, and a small pot of fragrant rice porridge was already ready. Izuku meticulously arranged everything on plates, adding a bit of salted salmon.

"You know," Venom began, rocking thoughtfully, "you cook too meticulously. If I were doing it..."

"Venom, you don't even eat," Izuku interrupted, lifting the plate with the finished breakfast. "But thanks for the enthusiasm."

Venom huffed in annoyance but retreated.

---

A few minutes later, Izuku sat at the dining table in the shared kitchen, enjoying his breakfast. Venom occasionally grumbled about "too small portions," but he managed to contain himself.

"You could at least say 'enjoy your meal,'" Izuku mumbled softly.

"Enjoy your meal, human."

"Thanks," Izuku smiled, bringing the first spoonful of miso soup to his lips.

After finishing his meal and washing the dishes, Izuku headed to his room, tidying up despite Venom's disapproving murmurs.

"I don't understand why you bother tidying up..."

"Well, it's not exactly frowned upon. My mom taught me to keep my home in order and cleanliness," Venom remarked, releasing a tendril as he scanned the room for his books, or rather, the ones about Midoriya that he had read long ago.

Looking through his wardrobe, Izuku pondered what to wear before stepping outside. Venom was also curious about Izuku's wardrobe, but it lacked variety.

"It's strange to see such a sparse wardrobe when your world has so much clothing and fashion. Even your hero costume would be more unique than your entire uniform wardrobe." Izuku's clothes were quite ordinary: a few different colored t-shirts, a couple of black pants, and his school uniform.

"I don't really follow fashion, and I don't pay much attention to what people wear," Izuku said, pulling out his black pants and a green hoodie with bunny ears that he had purchased on sale at a good discount.

"But when I read etiquette books, people do pay attention to how you dress." Although Venom was aware of this, his understanding was only superficial, lacking practical experience in real life. This was his first day stepping into the light not as a hero, but as Izuku Midoriya, and this experience would mark a new chapter in Venom's adaptation as a personality.

"That's insightful, but everyone has their own tastes and preferences regarding clothing and food, and it's hard to judge that. For example, my tastes often don't align with yours, as you can see, and some kind of compromise is needed, Andy." Finally dressed, Izuku looked at himself in the mirror. In his opinion, he looked perfectly fine, but Venom disagreed.

"How do I look?" Izuku asked, pulling on his hood.

"Terrible," Venom remarked, smirking at his host's outfit.

"You're impossible to please, Andy." Finally, after putting on his shoes and grabbing his backpack, Izuku remembered the most important element without which he couldn't go outside.

"The mask, of course." Izuku rummaged through his drawers for a long time but eventually found what he was looking for.

"Hmm, not the wisest decision. I could make the same mask as before, but why wear a piece of fabric?"

"Did you forget? I'm a controversial star, and be prepared for people to recognize me on the street." It was painful to realize he was now somewhat infamous, especially considering that he had become an internet star in a negative light.

"True enough, but like all news in this world, it will eventually be forgotten."

"Yes, but not this. The One for All himself intervened, and that's a long-lasting matter. Who would dare question his words?" Izuku said with a hint of anger. Now he could no longer go out normally without a mask. Finally, after putting on his red sneakers, he checked his pockets for all his essentials and, having double-checked everything, stepped out into the bright street, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.

----

The cityscape was bustling, yet for Izuku, it was just another ordinary day. He was walking to the nearest grocery store with a shopping list in hand. However, inside him, there was a genuine chaos—not from thoughts of training, but from the incessant stream of questions from Venom.

"Why do we need that building with the shimmering windows?" Venom's voice echoed insistently in Izuku's head, brimming with curiosity.

"That's a restaurant. People eat there when they don't want to cook at home," Izuku explained calmly.

"Why? You have hands. You can cook. It's a lazy solution!"

"Sometimes people just want to relax," Izuku sighed as he turned the corner.

"Relax? Your kind has too many weaknesses," Venom grumbled. "Oh, what's that smell?"

Izuku slowed down, catching a whiff of a delightful aroma wafting through the air. In front of the store they were heading to, there was a small stall selling hot buns.

"That's filled bread," Izuku explained. "Hot dogs, curry buns…"

"We're buying!" Venom tugged at Izuku's consciousness towards the stall, like a child demanding a toy.

"No, we have a list. We're not wasting extra money."

"You're boring."

Inside the store, Venom was even worse. The moment Izuku stepped through the door, the flood of questions intensified.

"Why are those vegetables so green?" he began as Izuku stopped at the cabbage section.

"Because they're fresh," Izuku muttered, picking out a suitable head.

"And what are those strange things?" Venom extended a tendril from within, almost touching a radish.

"That's daikon. A traditional ingredient in Japanese dishes."

"Sounds dull. Pick something interesting. Those… marbled things!"

Izuku glanced at the eggs in his cart and rolled his eyes.

"They're just eggs, Venom."

As he continued shopping, Venom wouldn't stop commenting on everything around them. He was particularly fascinated by the confections.

"Why do you need so many sweets? Your teeth break if you have too much."

"That's for celebrations and enjoyment," Izuku explained quietly, trying to ignore the tugging sensation as Venom stared, entranced, at the pastry display.

"Celebrations… Humans are strange."

When Izuku finally finished his shopping and headed to the checkout, Venom suddenly declared, "I want to pick something too."

"This isn't a game, Venom. We're only buying what we need."

"And I'll choose something necessary. Grab that black thing in shiny packaging."

"That's chocolate," Izuku replied wearily. "You don't even eat!"

"But I can feel! It's… beautiful."

Izuku couldn't help but smile and, without saying a word, added a chocolate bar to the cart.

"Thank you," Venom said unexpectedly softly.

As Izuku exited the store with two bags in hand, he remarked aloud, "You're as curious as a child."

"And you're too grown-up for your age," Venom retorted, seemingly unaware of the irony. "This world… is interesting. I want to learn more."

Izuku smiled.

"Well, we have time. Just please don't make me buy everything you find beautiful."

"Ha! I won't promise," Venom replied, cheerfully humming in his mind.

"We bought everything we needed: meat, chicken, rice, and sauces, but what's a trip without fruits, vegetables, and spices? To be honest, Venom wouldn't let Izuku go to the checkout until they bought his treat.

"Let me go, Andy. I want to pay for the groceries and go home," Izuku said, but Venom just huffed disapprovingly and turned Izuku's head towards the chocolate aisle.

"We're not going anywhere until we buy that treat," Venom said in an impatient tone. Izuku didn't want to spend extra money and wanted to protect his finances from unnecessary expenses.

"Understand that our budget isn't infinite, and we can't spend money frivolously," Izuku remarked, but Venom relinquished control of Izuku's body and let him go.

"Just this once, my lord. Your humble servant needs that chocolate and those pastries… what are they called, cinnamon rolls? If I don't like them, I won't insist next time." Exhausted, Izuku reluctantly agreed. It was fascinating how an alien organism that allowed him to wield such immense power acted like a child, asking questions about everything he saw for the first time. Izuku refrained from chastising him, knowing that he came from a different world where such things were unimaginable. Directing himself toward the chocolate section, Izuku allowed Venom to choose.

"Those are cinnamon rolls, Andy. Choose the chocolate, or I'll start feeling awkward. My green hair seems too suspicious," Izuku said, mentally noting the strange looks from his surroundings. Before Venom lay a difficult choice: to take the alluring dark chocolate in the expensive wrapper or the milk chocolate in the purple wrapper adorned with a purple-and-white cow with a bell.

"We're getting both!" Venom exclaimed joyfully, seizing control of the body and grabbing both chocolates.

"You must be kidding me. Why so many? One is enough!" Izuku replied wearily, looking at the cart filled with groceries.

"If we don't try, we won't know. As you said, we should respect others' weaknesses," Venom said. Izuku merely smiled at his words. Venom was developing rapidly, even if he acted like a child. As Izuku walked toward the confectionery section of the store, he heard:

"Aki, don't run in the store! That's unacceptable!" shouted a worried mother, trailing after her child. He kept glancing back, enjoying his mother's reactions, and while it was amusing, he collided with a food display but didn't let that stop him from continuing to run through the store. The silence and coziness of the store were interrupted by the sound of childish laughter as he approached a teenager in a green hoodie, becoming entangled in his own legs and nearly falling to the ground, only to be caught by the teenager.

"Are you okay?" Midoirya asked, examining him for signs of injury but finding none. However, the child was restless, and as Midoirya inspected him, he quickly grabbed his mask and pulled it off, revealing his face. The child didn't understand who he was and simply smiled, leaving Izuku in a state of shock.

"I'm fine," Aki replied, grinning at Izuku.

"Now your mask is with me. Catch me if you want it back." Without hesitation, Izuku took action. He was already an unwanted presence, and revealing his face meant only one thing: he was on the verge of disaster if he didn't retrieve the mask.

"Aki, I told you not to run…" The mother hadn't finished her sentence before she noticed the very same young man who rushed to help a girl. She saw him holding her child in his arms, trying to take the mask from him, but the child resisted, playing with him while Midoirya panicked internally.

"Let go of my child, you quirkless fool!" the mother shouted at Izuku, causing a cold sweat to trickle down his spine. He wasn't alone in the store; he estimated around 27 people were looking at him strangely.

Failure. That's what Izuku experienced. He lost precious time, which he could have used to snatch the mask from the child, and upon hearing the word "quirkless," he slowly set the child down, not taking his eyes off the mother. Panic was escalating, and hearing someone shout, the guard rushed over to the commotion.

"Son, don't go near him! He'll steal your quirk! God knows what curses he might unleash with his hands!" Internally, Izuku screamed that it wasn't true, but he maintained his composure, trying not to attract attention. Aki fell silent, not understanding why his mother was trying to keep him away from the green-haired boy. The mother grabbed her child's hand, refusing to let go to keep him away from Izuku.

"What's happening?" asked a tall, well-built guard, surveying the nervous mother and the bewildered teenager. He touched Izuku's shoulder, and feeling the unfamiliar touch, Izuku grew even more anxious. Turning his head, the guard recognized him and immediately frowned. Venom seethed with rage at the woman, wanting to deal with her brutally, but Izuku restrained him, trying to avert the inevitable.

"What have you done?" the guard said in a stern voice, looking down at Izuku.

"What did he do?" the mother interjected, glaring at Izuku.

"This quirkless one touched my child! Security, get him out of here!" At the frantic mother's screams, people gathered, and surrounded by dozens of onlookers, Izuku wished he could sink into the ground. In his stressed state, he couldn't utter a word; a lump lodged in his throat, and his legs trembled under the weight of countless judging gazes.

"Take what you need and get out of here," the guard said, pointing toward the exit. Some patrons began recording the scene on their phones, making Izuku a scandalous star for numerous tweets and likes.

"It's shameful for his mother that her son touches other children! Tch, a quirkless hero!" one mother spat venomously.

The crowd around Izuku grew increasingly aggressive. After his emotional outburst, the condemnation only intensified. People shouted, hurling insults as if competing to see who could humiliate him the most.

"You're worthless! Who gave you the right to speak?!" a man from the crowd shouted, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Izuku Midoriya? Isn't he the quirkless one who disgraces heroes?!" a young woman chimed in, filming the unfolding drama.

"Didn't All Might put you in your place? Maybe it's time to disappear and stop embarrassing yourself!"

These words cut into Izuku like a knife. Memories flooded back of those humiliating moments when All Might had turned away from him in front of millions, deeming his actions unworthy and foolish. He wanted to protect Fuyumi; he wanted to help, but the world saw him only as a hindrance.

"He's standing there, silent like a coward!" the mother of the child shouted, gripping her son's hand. "There's no place among heroes for someone like him. He might as well disappear!"

The crowd erupted in approving shouts, agreeing with her. Someone turned on a live stream, and messages flooded in the chats:

"There he is, the biggest loser!"

"A quirkless loser trying to prove something? How laughable!"

Izuku felt as if the ground were giving way beneath him. His legs trembled, and his throat tightened with a lump. But deep inside, somewhere buried, fury boiled—not only at the crowd but at himself for allowing others to manipulate him once again.

"Andy…" he whispered through clenched teeth, barely holding himself together.

"Enough of the silence, Izuku. They deserve a lesson. Let me show them what it means to mock you," Venom's hissing voice resonated in his mind.

But instead of yielding, Izuku clenched his fists tighter and stepped forward, striving to appear calm even as he boiled within. His voice rang out firmly, despite the tremors in his body:

"You can hate me. You can shout whatever you want. But I'm here to remind you: even those without quirks can be stronger than you think. You don't decide who I will become."

His words drowned in the laughter and jeers of the crowd. Yet, he held their gazes, even when the hatred in the eyes of the people seemed to burn through him. Lowering his head to conceal his quiet rage, he moved toward the checkout, quickly unloading the groceries onto the counter. All eyes drilled into him, and some whispered among themselves, trying to provoke him in some way, but he didn't hear them; for him, the rest of the world had disappeared beneath his feet. Rapidly unloading the food, he headed to the other side of the register, feeling the cashier's angry glare.

"You owe me 27,650 yen," the saleswoman said, observing Midoriya's panicked expression.

"Card, please," Izuku replied, avoiding her gaze, unwilling to meet her eyes.

"You may tap your card," she said coldly. Izuku placed his card on the terminal, and the familiar sound of payment confirmation echoed in the air.

Midoriya Izuku

Balance: 72,350¥

Purchase: -27,650¥

As soon as he completed the transaction, a loud mocking voice rang out from behind him:

"Look at that, the quirkless one has decided to play the hero, even in a store. I hope you have enough strength to carry those bags home, or will you need someone to help you again?"

The crowd erupted in laughter. People around exchanged barbs, seizing the opportunity to throw in another jab.

"Just don't drop them! What if the Symbol of Peace judges you again for mishandling groceries?" shouted a young man, sneering as he glanced over Izuku's shoulder.

"Better keep your distance, you might think this is another rescue mission!" added a woman with a child, pointing a finger at him.

Izuku silently picked up his bags, feeling a painful knot constricting his throat. He said nothing, didn't look back, and simply took a step toward the exit. But the voices pursued him even as he neared the door.

"Don't forget, you're not a hero! Just a mistake!"

"He was even rejected by the Symbol of Peace! Can you believe it? The Symbol of Peace!"

Someone, unable to hold back, threw an empty can at him, which clattered to the floor beside his feet. Izuku froze for a moment, fists clenched so tightly that his fingers turned white. But he forced himself to keep walking.

As he exited the store, the cold air struck his face. It was slightly quieter outside, but he could still hear the snickers and shouts from within. People with phones stood at the entrance, capturing every move he made.

"Hey, Midoriya, smile for the camera! This is your moment of fame!" one of them shouted, aiming his phone at him.

Inside, Izuku was boiling, but he kept walking, ignoring them until he turned the corner. There, out of their sight, he stopped, leaning against the wall. The bags nearly slipped from his grasp.

"They're worthless, Izuku. Do you hear me? Let me crush them all," Venom hissed ominously in his mind.

Izuku closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"No, Venom. That will only make them angrier. I need to be strong... at least for Mom."

He lifted the bags again and continued walking, though with each step, his heart grew heavier.

"Symbol of Peace," Izuku whispered through clenched teeth, trying to suppress his anger. His teeth ground together, and his palms turned white from the pressure of his nails digging in. He had ruined his life; he was a hypocrite who claimed to help everyone, yet when Izuku sought his assistance, he rejected him, telling him he was unworthy.

Izuku burned with hatred, not only for the Symbol of Peace but also for Re-Destro, who promoted racial superiority, brainwashing not just adults but children as well. When they saw the quirkless, they treated them worse than adults, throwing whatever they could find at them. Lost in his thoughts, Venom's nature began to take over, pressing down on his emotions, and the voices in his head whispered to him.

"We will take revenge on them."

"We have the power; they underestimate us."

"We could kill them all."

"No one has the right to trample on us."

"We will break their arms, cut out their tongues, gut them, gouge out their eyes, and shatter every bone in their bodies."

"The Symbol of Peace is the real problem."

The voices whispered, driving Izuku to the brink of madness. He lost any connection to the outside world and struggled to silence the voices in his head, but they were stronger and more insistent, urging him to unleash them and kill anyone who dared to look at them sideways.

---

On a popular subreddit dedicated to discussing heroes and society, a post appeared featuring footage of the conflict in the store. The video of Izuku surrounded by a crowd and accusations went viral, garnering tens of thousands of views. The post was titled, "Another disgrace for the quirkless: how Izuku Midoriya made a fool of himself once again!"

A fierce debate erupted in the comments:

@HeroFanatic89:

"He's not even a hero! A quirkless trying to argue with a mother defending her child? Pathetic! Remove him from society!" #CancelMidoriya (+2.3K likes)

@QuirkMaster2024:

"The Symbol of Peace was right to condemn him. People like him only hinder real heroes from doing their jobs!" #GloryToReDestro (+1.8K likes)

@ProgressFirstQuirk:

"Re-Destro said that the quirkless slow down progress. Here's a clear example! Why even give such people rights?" #CancelMidoriya #GloryToReDestro (+3K likes)

Some users tried to post neutral comments, but they were quickly drowned out by a wave of outrage:

@CompassionateSoul:

"Maybe he just wanted to help? Why are you all so cruel?" (−1200 dislikes, comment deleted by moderators for rule violations)

And then began the praises for Re-Destro:

@QuirkUnity99:

"Now that's a true hero of our time! Re-Destro invests millions to help people with problematic quirks, while this Midoriya just complains about his life." #GloryToReDestro (+4.1K likes)

@FutureIsQuirks:

"The world should be for those with quirks, not for people like him. Thank you, Re-Destro, for making us stronger!" #GloryToReDestro (+3.7K likes)

The post continued to gain traction, becoming one of the most discussed topics of the day. It reached the front page of the subreddit with the headline: "Why the quirkless have no place among us?"

Many users called for Midoriya to be canceled, pushing radical ideas:

@PowerOverAll:

"Officially ban the quirkless from appearing in public places. They don't deserve equal rights!" #CancelMidoriya (+5.2K likes)

@QuirkHero45:

"Give Re-Destro more power. He knows how to protect us from people like Midoriya." #GloryToReDestro (+4.9K likes)

Meanwhile, the number of likes on the post surpassed 50,000, and comments continued to pile up, fueling hatred. The hashtags #CancelMidoriya and #GloryToReDestro became trends on social media, confirming that the animosity directed at Izuku had reached a national scale.

In the comments, discussions grew even more radical. Users debated how to isolate the quirkless from society so they wouldn't hinder development and progress.

@BlazingInfernoHero:

"Quirkless in the workplace is just a disaster. They can't handle tasks at the level of quirked employees. They need to be banned from important positions!" #CancelMidoriya #ForQuirkedFuture #GloryToReDestro (+6.4K likes)

@QuirkSurge2025:

"Let them work only low-skilled jobs. They still can't offer anything to society except being a burden." #NoQuirkNoJob #ReDestroRules #NoPlaceForIncompetents (+5.8K likes)

@PhantomEdgeHero:

"If the quirkless want to be useful, let them do cleaning, repairs, or manual labor. That's their limit." #MidoriyaDisgraceToSociety #JobsForQuirked #GloryToReDestro (+4.9K likes)

Others began proposing more concrete measures:

@SteelTitan42:

"Re-Destro is right when he talks about the superiority of quirks. The quirkless should be legally prohibited from holding positions in important fields like medicine, science, or engineering." #CancelMidoriya #LawsForQuirked #FutureForQuirks (+5.3K likes)

@NovaFlareHero:

"The quirkless don't understand how quirks work, so they only slow down progress. Why do we need such people in technical or research fields?" #RemoveMidoriya #DevelopmentForQuirks #StrengthAndProgress (+4.6K likes)

Some proposals sounded utterly inhumane:

@ShadowSpireQuirk:

"The quirkless could be replaced by technology. Automation has long surpassed their abilities. Why waste resources on them?" #TechVsMidoriya #QuirkedFuture #IsolationForQuirkless (+4.2K likes)

@ArcticFrostHero:

"Create separate cities or settlements for them where they can live and work. We shouldn't involve them in our lives." #MidoriyaInExile #QuirkedSociety #GloryToReDestro (+3.7K likes)

The discussions grew increasingly heated, and posts suggesting stripping the quirkless of their employment rights amassed thousands of likes and hundreds of comments:

@SkyBreaker2023:

"If we want progress, then the quirkless should not occupy positions that capable people could fill. It's just sensible." #QuirkedSuperiority #RemoveMidoriya #ForABrightFuture (+6.8K likes)

@ThunderShockHero:

"A heroic society is built on quirks. The quirkless have no right to be a part of it. They should stand aside and not interfere!" #MidoriyaGetOut #QuirkedHeroes #GloryToReDestro (+5.2K likes)

The idea of completely restricting employment rights for the quirkless quickly became one of the most debated topics. Many users demanded that Re-Destro promote such laws at the government level. Hashtags like #AWorldForQuirks, #CancelMidoriyaNow, and #TheFutureWithReDestro gained popularity, becoming symbols of social division.

---

Nedjire Hado sat in her cozy little room, curled up in a chair with her phone in hand. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the comments on the subreddit. The video of Izuku standing surrounded by a crowd in the store, facing accusations and mockery, replayed again and again. She had paused it several times but kept returning to that frame, as if trying to comprehend what she had truly witnessed.

Her heart ached when the camera lingered for a moment on his face. Those eyes, once bright and full of hope, were now filled with pain and fear. Izuku looked like a stranger, almost broken.

"How can they say such things?" she whispered, feeling a wave of rage and despair rising in her chest.

Nedjire glanced at the comments again:

"A quirkless trying to play the hero? Pathetic!"

"Re-Destro was right; people like him don't belong among us!"

Her eyes scanned the words, but their meaning seemed to dissolve in her mind. A buzz of emotions filled her thoughts. Anger, confusion, pain — all mixed together, creating chaos within her soul.

She remembered the first time she met him ten years ago. A boy who spoke so confidently, despite being quirkless. He was sincere, kind, and had a dream. Even then, she noticed how his faith inspired her to take decisive action, no matter the circumstances. But what had become of him now? How did he become an outcast?

"This is unfair," she thought, squeezing her phone so tightly that her fingers turned white.

For a moment, panic washed over her. What if he sees these comments? What will he feel? The crushing guilt for a world that was so cruel to him? She tried to imagine how she would feel in his place, but the pain of just that thought was unbearable.

"Why am I feeling this so intensely?" a thought flickered through her mind.

Nedjire shut her eyes, her breathing becoming rapid. The image of Izuku resurfaced: his smile, his determination, even his silly but endearing gestures that she always noticed. Something fluttered in her chest, but she quickly brushed it aside.

"It's just concern," she reassured herself. "We're friends. I'm just worried about him."

But the anxious feeling wouldn't let go. She wanted to do something, say something, protect him in some way. She even considered writing a comment in his defense, but immediately remembered how quickly moderators deleted neutral opinions.

She turned the video back on. Now, she no longer looked at the crowd or the comments, only at him. The boy she knew. Her heart tightened even more, and for the first time in her life, Nedjire realized she didn't know how to cope with this feeling. It wasn't just concern; it was something much deeper that she couldn't yet comprehend.

"I'm sorry, Izuku, forgive me," she whispered, feeling tears welling in her eyes. Her voice was quiet and unsteady, when the most horrifying thought crossed her mind.

"What if he decides to end it all? What if he just disappears after all this?" Her chest felt heavier than ever at the thought of her friend dying, choking on his own blood. It was the scariest thing of all; tears poured down her face, refusing to stop for even a moment. Her friend, "Freckles," whom she teased, the first person in her life who befriended her despite her odd character and who recognized her as more than just a friend in childhood.

---

Izuku stood in the kitchen, focused intently as he wielded a knife. The blade flickered with incredible speed, finely chopping the meat, which fell neatly onto the cutting board. He wasn't just cooking — he was unleashing the pent-up rage he had bottled inside. Meat, vegetables, spices — everything became his target.

On the stove, a large pot of rich broth simmered, filled with the fragrant aromas of garlic, pepper, and ginger. Next to it lay a mountain of fried potato slices, creamy sauces, and a heap of spices. Every detail of the dish was calculated to perfection: 4,000 calories — a meal meant to nourish him not just physically, but psychologically.

Venom, with whom he had learned to coexist, was there as always. His deep voice echoed in Izuku's mind, but today, it was particularly insistent.

"Do you feel that, Izuku? Their hatred. Their disdain. They've left us no choice. You're cooking this to satisfy your hunger, but it's not just food, is it?"

Izuku tightened his grip on the knife. He tried to ignore the voice, but Venom knew how to penetrate deeper.

"You're angry. You want to prove to them that you're not weak. That you can do more than they think."

Izuku slammed the knife onto the table with a loud thud, grabbed the pot, and shook it violently, mixing the ingredients.

"Enough," he whispered through clenched teeth. "It's just a day, Venom. Just a stupid day, and I want to forget about it."

But Venom wouldn't relent. His voice softened, but became all the more sinister:

"They humiliated you. They called you nothing. And you allowed them to do it. Aren't you tired of enduring? Why not show them what you're capable of? We could... punish them."

Izuku took a deep breath, feeling his heart race. His hands trembled as he picked up a spoon and tasted the broth. The flavor was perfect — rich, deep, and warming. But instead of satisfaction, he felt only greater anger.

"Punish them?" he muttered. "And what would that change? They still wouldn't understand."

"They will understand when you make them fear you. You've given them too many chances. It's time to stop being patient. They don't deserve your kindness, Izuku."

The rage swelled within him like a storm, but somewhere deep inside, a voice of reason resisted Venom's words.

Izuku finished cooking: a massive bowl filled with fried meat, potatoes, vegetables, and thick sauce. He garnished it with grated cheese and herbs, as if adding the final touch. But the food no longer felt like comfort. It became a reminder of his helplessness in a world that loathed him for who he was.

Sitting down at the table, he felt as though Venom was wrapping around him from the inside, whispering increasingly radical ideas.

"They deserve fear. Let me show you how to make them feel it."

But instead of replying, Izuku buried his face in his plate, trying to drown out that voice with food.

After finishing his meal, he attempted to suppress his anger. It was already deep into the night, and he couldn't calm down, waiting for a call from Dabi to tell him when and where to patrol. Finally, he heard the call he had been waiting for.

"Get ready to go out, it's time," came Dabi's cold response, sending coordinates.

"Time to go." Quickly putting on his hero uniform and finally donning his coat, still consumed by rage, he climbed out the window. Under the influence of the emotional enhancement from the symbiote, he headed toward Dabi.

To be continued.