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(Izuku's P.O.V.)
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the sterile scent of antiseptic. My head felt heavy, and a dull, persistent ache pulsed through my body. Blinking open my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling, its sterile whiteness a stark contrast to the grime I was used to. My surroundings were stark and clinical: white walls, a neatly made bed, and a single chair occupied by a figure I had only seen in the distance.
The man was All Might, his imposing figure dominating the space. I could hardly believe that I was in his presence, yet his usual exuberant demeanor seemed oddly misplaced here.
He was watching me with an expression that mixed concern with curiosity. Despite the remarkable difference in our circumstances, I had learned not to be surprised or pleased by anything. My trust had been shattered so thoroughly that even this unexpected turn of events barely registered.
All Might's eyes were filled with genuine worry. " You're awake young man. Do you remember what happened?"
I turned my head slowly to face him, the effort making my muscles protest. My voice, rough from neglect and disuse, came out in a flat, emotionless tone. "I was attacked. I fought back but..."
All Might's concern deepened. "Do you remember anything else about the attack?"
I shook my head slightly. "No. Everything's a blur. I just remember feeling an intense heat and then everything went dark."
All Might nodded, though his face betrayed his frustration. "That's alright. What's important is that you're safe now. Can you tell me your name?"
"Izuku..." I said, my voice as cold as my demeanor. I offered no more than necessary. Trust was a commodity I no longer had. And I want it to stay that way.
He looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and frustration. "Izuku, I saw you were alone on the streets. How did you end up there?"
I stared at him, my expression unchanging. "It's complicated."
All Might seemed to take a deep breath, trying to maintain his calm. "Do you have a place to stay? Somewhere safe?"
The question struck me as almost absurd. I couldn't help but give him an incredulous look. "Are you serious? I've been living on the streets for the past two years. Do you think I have a place?"
Embarrassment colored All Might's cheeks, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He say through my eyes that I wasn't kidding. I don't know what he is thinking right but if my guess is right... "Well, if you don't have anywhere to go, you could stay with me. I can offer you a place to stay and some stability."
I shook my head firmly. "No, thank you. I don't need your pity." I FU*@#$ knew it!
All Might seemed flustered by my rejection. "Please, Izuku. I insist. If you're not comfortable with my place, I can give you some cash to get by. It's better than living on the streets."
The offer was tempting, despite my pride. The idea of having a roof over my head, even temporarily, was a luxury I hadn't experienced in a long time. After a moment's hesitation, I relented. "Fine. I'll come with you."
(General P.O.V.)
All Might's car was a small, compact vehicle that seemed almost comical when compared to his imposing size. Watching him squeeze into the driver's seat was a sight to behold. His body contorted in ways that seemed unnatural for someone of his stature, yet he managed with a mix of determination and awkwardness.
As they drove through the city, the contrast between All Might's world and Izuku's was stark. The cityscape transitioned from grimy alleyways and abandoned buildings to sleek, polished streets lined with luxury cars and high-end shops. The mansion that awaited them was the epitome of wealth and opulence.
All Might's home was an imposing estate surrounded by manicured gardens, high iron gates, and an aura of exclusivity. Inside, the mansion was equally impressive. Marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and elegant furniture adorned every room.
The grandeur was almost overwhelming.
Izuku, however, remained indifferent. He entered the house with a sense of detachment, his worn clothes and dirt-covered shoes a stark contrast to the pristine environment. He made a beeline for the kitchen, his hunger and exhaustion overriding any sense of propriety. He opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk with a casual efficiency that bordered on nonchalance.
All Might, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety, transformed back into his skinny form as soon as they were inside. The transition was abrupt, and he felt a pang of panic. He hoped that Izuku would be understanding, but he could not predict the boy's reaction.
Izuku glanced at All Might's transformation with an air of complete indifference.
"Whatever," he said, his tone flat. He sat down at the dining table, his expression unchanging.
All Might tried to lighten the mood, though he felt somewhat embarrassed. "You seem pretty calm about all this. Most people would be surprised."
Izuku took a sip of his milk, his demeanor unchanged. "I've learned that nothing is as it seems. Your transformation is just another facet of that."
The interaction was surprisingly mundane given the circumstances. All Might, desperate to make some connection, asked, "Do you have any family, Izuku? Or anyone you're close to?"
Izuku's eyes grew distant. "Not anymore. My family... they're gone. I'm alone."
All Might's heart ached at the emptiness in Izuku's voice. "I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been difficult."
Izuku shrugged, showing no sign of emotional response. "Life isn't fair. I've learned that the hard way."
They settled at the dining table, and All Might attempted to strike up a conversation to further break the ice. "So, do you have a quirk, Izuku? I've seen you use flames before, but I want to know more."
Izuku's response was curt and dismissive. "You're mistaken All Might but I'm quirkless."
All Might's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Are you sure? Sometimes quirks can be latent or manifest in unexpected ways."
Izuku shook his head firmly. "No quirk. I've been tested before."
Determined to investigate further, All Might pulled out a quirk test paper from his pocket. He placed it in front of Izuku, urging him to take the test. "Let's give it another try. This test can detect even the faintest traces of a quirk."
Izuku stared at the paper, frustration building within him. "I've told you, I have no quirk."
He held the paper in his hand, feeling a surge of anger and desperation.
As he clenched his fist, the paper spontaneously ignited into flames, burning quickly and leaving only ashes behind. The unexpected sight caused Izuku to gasp in shock.
Izuku stared at his hands in disbelief, the flames flickering and dancing as if they had a life of their own. "What...?"
All Might's eyes widened in astonishment. "Izuku, this is incredible! You have a quirk after all! We need to understand how this works."
Izuku's gaze was a mix of frustration and astonishment. "I didn't even know I could do this. I've never seen anything like it."
All Might looked at Izuku with a mixture of awe and excitement. "This is amazing, Izuku! Your quirk might be something extraordinary. We'll need to study it more to fully understand its capabilities."
Izuku's expression was one of reluctant curiosity. "Why didn't I know about this before?"
"All quirks can be unpredictable," All Might explained, his tone gentle. "Sometimes they manifest in unexpected ways or at unexpected times. It's possible that your quirk has been dormant until now."
Izuku remained silent, the weight of his past and the revelation of his quirk creating a tumultuous storm of emotions within him. The sterile environment of the mansion, once a symbol of his isolation, now seemed to offer a flicker of hope.
All Might, sensing Izuku's internal struggle, offered a supportive smile. "We'll figure this out together, Izuku. You've been through so much, but I'm here to help you. You don't have to face this alone."
Izuku looked up at All Might, his eyes betraying a glimmer of uncertainty. "Why are you helping me?"
All Might's smile grew warmer. "Because everyone deserves a chance, Izuku. I see potential in you, and I want to help you find it. You've shown strength and resilience, and I believe you have a future beyond what you've experienced."
As the evening wore on, the mansion's grandeur and All Might's unwavering support began to chip away at the walls Izuku had built around himself. The promise of a new beginning, however uncertain, was a beacon of hope in the darkness.
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