Chapter Text
“What’s the matter, my boy? You seem to be quite… put out.”
“Oh… Ah… I-It’s really nothing.”
“Come now. Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t strike me as the type to cry without reason.”
“You’d… You’d be surprised.”
“Who told you that?”
“H-Huh?”
“Who told you that your tears fall without reason? That they’re meaningless?”
“I… W-Well… Um…”
“I see. Oh you poor, poor child. This world has not been kind to you, has it.”
“It… It’s not so b-bad, really. I mean, I-I’m sure they just… w-want me to have… r-realistic expectations.”
“Is that what All Might told you just now?”
“…How… H-How did you…?”
“Oh come now, my boy. I’ve been watching you for some time now. I know that you’re quirkless. I know that this world, this society, has written you off as worthless. Even All Might, the hero you respected more than anyone or anything in the world has told you to abandon your dreams, never even considering that you may have other talents beyond mere power, but I can see them quite clearly. You’re a strategist, my boy. An analyst with an eye for detail, and it is truly impressive to watch you work. With proper guidance, a talent like that could have many… applications. Frankly, you could have been a great hero. It’s a shame that All Might was too blind to see your true potential.”
“That… Th-That’s not what he meant. It… It d-doesn’t matter how smart I am. I… I-I’m not strong enough to-”
“But what if you could be?”
“…What?”
“What if you could have all the power you ever wanted, and the strength of body to match your strength of will and mind? An ability that would help you to achieve your dream, your desire to protect others--to change this society?”
“That… That’s not possible.”
“Oh, but it is. My quirk grants me that ability, you know: the ability to pass power on to others.”
“…What do you want from me?”
“Dear child, I thought that was fairly obvious. I want to be your guide. The one that helps you to hone your skills and convictions.”
“You want my cooperation… to do what?”
“My my, you are a clever one, aren't you? I want to help you achieve your dream, of course. I want to change this society; change this very world in fact. I want to create a world that is better for people like you.”
“People like me. You mean quirkless?”
“All the oppressed that this society has created. All those whose dreams are suppressed, mocked and stepped upon, regardless of whether they possess quirks or not.”
“And this new world… what would it look like?”
“What else, my boy, but a paradise?”