I'm not on EITHER side

"I'm quirkless!"

Izuku's POV

It's been a few weeks since I've gone on patrol, but I've kept up with my physical training to make sure I'm always ready. I stretch for a few minutes and make sure that everything in my pockets is ready for me to use. I finish up with everything and pull my hood over my hair, ensuring that not a single strand pokes out. I don't need anyone noticing it, especially in such a small town.

I open my window and slink out onto the roof, closing the window behind me to make sure no one can break in. I take a quick look at a map on my phone before deciding how I'll go about my route. I determine how I'll go, and everything is set. I make my way onto my neighbor's roof and quickly look around before continuing on.

Everything is quiet, and I have some time to think. There's been a hero killer roaming the streets for a few months, popping up all over Japan. He injures or kills 3 heroes in each city, then moves on. He hasn't been to Hosu, but the prospect of him showing up makes me uneasy. I keep running through, trying to keep my mind off it. There are a few hero agencies in Hosu, but none that are close to the outskirts. If he comes around here, I'm this areas first-line of defense.

In the midst of my thinking, I didn't notice that I was being followed. I didn't even know until he started speaking. "You. You're that one from the USJ, right? I'm afraid you're gonna have to come with me." I turn around and see the pro-hero Eraser Head. I stand and turn around to face him.

"I was there, but not because I aligned myself with those people. I was only there to make sure that no one went overboard and tried to kill your students. I was also there to avoid them killing All Might. Plus, I haven't broken any laws."

"Illegal quirk usage." I take a hard swallow and a few shaky breaths as he approaches me. I need to explain fast, but saying it is just so difficult. He's only a few steps away, and I need to blurt it out.

"I'm quirkless!" He stands there for a second and then looks at me unimpressed. He probably gets that a lot, so I can get why he's suspicious, but I'm not lying. "I'm telling you the truth. I'm quirkless. Do you know how hard it is to admit that? I was bullied since I was 4 until I ran away. My childhood friend told me to kill myself. I was told I'd never be a hero by my favorite hero, all because I don't have a stupid fucking quirk."

He looks at me shocked. I must've gone off on a tangent. "Woah. Didn't know you had it in you, kid. But if you can give me names, I can help you." He gives me a sympathetic look and offers a hand. I shake my head at that. No matter what I do, I can't let the people I'm talking about get in trouble. "Why not?"

"They can't be found out. It'll do worse damage for everyone if they get caught. I'm better off being unknown and doing my best by being a vigilante. I know it's dangerous and illegal, but it's all I can do to help. No hero school wants a quirkless reject like me, especially not U.A."

"My quirk can be misconstrued as making me quirkless, and yet I'm still a hero. U.A. is more open to people like you than you'd think. We don't have any quirkless students yet, but I'd be more than willing to stick my neck out for you. You seem strong and smart, and you have a heroic spirit that you don't see much among people these days." His words hit hard, and it makes me want to reconsider, but I can't give up just yet.

"I'll keep that in mind. But I need to stay here for now. I'd love to be a hero, but this place needs me for now. If the time comes and I'm revealed, you'll be the first person I go to. But right now, I need to stay here and protect these people. It doesn't matter how many people there are to save, what matters is making sure they're safe." He gives me a small smile, and while it's comforting and nice, it's also a little creepy.

"You're a good kid. Thank you for protecting my students at the USJ. I'll be on my way, but we'll keep in touch. I'll find you if I need to." With that, he disappears into the darkness. I spend a few minutes speechless before having a quiet fanboy moment. After becoming quirkless, I looked into other heroes that's quirks didn't do much, but still managed to become heroes. He was always my favorite among the few, although All Might was my favorite until...

I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts and make my way back to the shop. I finished my route a while ago, but I was just doubling back. The way back is nice and quiet, but the thought of becoming a hero makes me feel giddy. I'd spent my whole life, agonizing over the fact that I'd never be a hero. That I was too weak to be able to make it. That I was useless. But in one small talk, one of the only heroes I still respected has just rescued my hopes and dreams as a kid.

I make my way onto my roof, opening my window and slowly sliding in and closing the window back up. I take off the mask and sweatshirt before taking the Kevlar vest off and throwing them into my closet. I move into the bathroom and wash the face paint off as best I can. I drop all my weapons off in one of my drawers and grab some stuff to sleep in.

Tonight's patrol was amazing. Not only was it quiet, but I ran into my favorite hero. If only every patrol was like this. As I think this, I slip into a deep sleep, dreaming about myself as a pro-hero.

Word Count: 1040

That marks the end of this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Sorry it took so long for me to write another chapter, I've just had some stuff going on in my life. Everything is okay, I just was really busy. I'd love to know your feedback and where you'd like to see this story go. Thanks for reading. The continued support makes me feel good when another part is released. Have a good day and remember to drink some water.