Payback (Hiatus)

Chapter 5 (EDITED)

Edited: 26 July 2023

As Izuku entered his room, he was met with a scene of utter devastation. His heart sank as he surveyed the wreckage - . His room, once a sanctuary of cherished possessions and memorabilia, now lay in ruins. Shattered figurines of All Might, the symbol of peace, lay scattered on the ground like broken promises. Notes and papers on heroism, painstakingly written by him, were torn and shredded, as if his aspirations were torn to shreds as well. The class photo, a reminder of the friends he once held dear, now reduced to ashes, except for one image that showed only him.Whoever did this was quite clear of not wanting him here

Silently, he began to pick up the pieces of his life, each broken item a painful reminder of the harsh treatment he had endured. The feeling of betrayal weighed heavily on his shoulders. The people he had once considered friends now saw him as a villain, and their animosity seemed unrelenting. But amidst the anguish, he couldn't help but hold on to the flicker of gratitude for the fleeting moments of camaraderie they once shared.

As the night wore on, Izuku realized that he couldn't continue to endure such mistreatment. If they wanted him gone, then so be it, but he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. He wanted them to know that he cherished the bond they once had, even if they had turned their backs on him now.

With a heavy heart, he gathered what remained of his possessions - the clothing that was still in good condition, he put it on his luggage. The All Might memorabilia that had escaped destruction - and carefully packed them into a garbage bag. 

Midnight came, and his room was now empty, devoid of the belongings that once filled it with life and joy. As he stood there, memories of happier times flooded his mind. He remembered the laughter and the shared dreams that now seemed like distant echoes.

"I would have never hated them," he whispered to the emptiness, "if only they hadn't abandoned me like a piece of trash." It was a bitter realization that trust couldn't be easily restored. But in that moment, he made a silent promise to himself - he would find his own path, his own way to become the hero he aspired to be, even if it meant walking alone.

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The following morning, Izuku stood outside the Class 1A U.A. dorm, his gaze drifting aimlessly. Clutching a note in his hand, he began making his way toward the Principal's office. Dismissing the hurtful and derogatory remarks thrown at him, he maintained a determined composure.

When Izuku arrived, Principal Nezu cordially invited him to take a seat and offered him a cup of tea. The fact that Izuku chose to leave U.A. on his own terms, rather than being expelled, pleased Nezu considerably. He knew that the reputation of the school would suffer if it became public knowledge that one of their brightest students was abruptly removed without any valid explanation.

"Why do you wish to leave, my young friend?" Nezu sipped his tea casually. "I believed you, of all people, aspired to become the number one hero."

Izuku couldn't help but think, "The nerve of this rodent, asking me that question. He knows I can't pursue the hero path without a quirk."

"It's true. I once had dreams of being the number one hero," Izuku replied, carefully choosing his words. "But without a quirk, I can't continue down that path."

Nezu nodded in understanding. "A wise decision indeed. Returning All Might's quirk was the responsible choice. Without it, the risk of injury during rescues and dangerous situations would be too great, especially for someone quirkless like you."

"More like he took it back," Izuku thought bitterly, but he kept that to himself.

"I understand your reasoning," Nezu said calmly. "It's essential to prioritize the safety of our students. You're right, being a hero without a quirk would be dangerous for both you and those you try to save."