Torako and Izuku immediately got to work. Well, after Tora further explained what to do and all...

Basically they were just helping old people and making sure nothing bad happened. They were an immediate fan of Izuku, though, saying how nice it was that such a handsome young man was helping old folks like them. He got a lot of candy. And it was like that old people candy where you have no fucking clue where they got it from, or where you can even buy such candy anymore, or if they just have chests filled with old candy. Like, seriously, where do you get all this candy? No where sells it anymore, wHaT-

It was good though, so no worries. It wasn't that shitty old candy, it was that good shit. Yaint.

Aaanywho, it was actually pretty fun. Izuku would play a lot of board games with the older folks, and he actually got some exercise in. He had a LOT of running back and forth, trying to get to everyone's needs as quick as possible. For old people, they were really active! Like, damn.

Izuku was currently taking a lunch break in the cafeteria. Tora has brought him something to eat, and then ran off to join Abigail... Wherever they went.

Now that Izuku had time to think, things were starting to hit him.

Is this what he wants?

The wolf king... is that what Izuku wants to be? Does he want to be a wanted vigilante? What if he isn't good enough? What if he isn't strong enough? What if... what if he really is just a useless piece of quirkless trash?

What if he got arrested? What would his mom do?

He has no amazing power, and he just barely has any physical strength... is this truly what he should do? Is this really what he's fit for? What if he can't become strong enough... good enough, smart enough... what if he's not worth it? Not worth all the work they're putting into him?

He must have been looking lost for a bit too long, as one of the older men went over to him, rolling his wheelchair. The man was missing one of his legs down from the knees, and half of his face was contorted and melted.

"Hey kiddo! Whatcha thinkin' about? You seem conflicted." His voice is gruff and strong. It was warm in a way, as well. In the way that some voices feel cooler and some feel warmer. It's hard to describe.

Anyway, he wheeled his chair up to the table. "Hey! Help me into this chair, will ya kid?"

Izuku was slightly startled, but immediately got up to help the man. He put one arm under the old mans arms, and one under his stub of a leg. Izuku lifted the man pretty easily, not really thinking about it. He lowered the man into the chair so he could push the wheelchair under the table and out of the way.

Izuku went back to his seat across from the man, the same thoughts plaguing his mind as he ate the animal crackers Tora brought.

"You still haven't answered me, kid," his voice startled Izuku, causing the short green bean to jump a bit, "what's the matter? You look like someone just stole your left sock and you're exceptionally confused and lost as to why they would do such a thing. Not that I would have any experience with such a thing to know what one would look like in such a situation..."

Izuku chuckled a little bit, shuffling a few more animal crackers into his mouth. He quickly swallowed, taking a swig of water. "Oh, it's nothing sir. I'm just a bit doubtful of something..."

The older man grunted, spinning his ring that rested on his middle finger on his left hand. It had some sort of French text on it with a gold lining.

"It doesn't look like it's nothing. Come on kid, I'm an old man. I'm not gonna go gossip with my group of young guys friends that don't even exist. The only people I could tell are the other old nut cases here."

Izuku hummed to himself, thinking it over. He's sure it wouldn't hurt to at least tell him a bit, just not everything... a second opinion is always good.

Izuku started up, looking down at his lap shyly. "W-well... I have a job... you could say. The thing is... I'm not sure if I'm... uhm... I'm not sure I'm as good a candidate as they think I am. I'm just... doubtful. What if I'm not strong enough, or smart enough? What if I'm not the perfect model they think I am? I mean, I'm sure that I'm not perfect, but what if I can't become the perfect model? If I can't improve, or just can't do anything right once I'm actually there...

"I'm a quirkless, sir. I'm not exactly the person you would quite want as the head representative of whatever you're in charge of. I'm seen as disabled, lower class. Weak. People define it as a disability, not anything amazing or strong. It's weak-"

"I'm gonna stop ya right there!" The old man interrupted Izuku abruptly, his face stone serious. "Just cause yer' not like everyone else with some fancy shmancy ability doesn't mean you're weak or disabled. What it DOES make you is unique.

"My quirk is practically useless. My back doesn't burn. And only my back. You can pour boiling water on it, set it on fire, blast it with hot air... it just doesn't burn. Pretty useless, huh? Because my quirk wasn't really anything special, I decided to join the military. I lost my leg, and half my face is melted like something from a horror movie. But despite that, I saved many, many people kid. It doesn't matter what your quirk is, or what your lack of quirk is.

"So get that shit outa yer' head, dumb ass!" He slapped Izuku upside the head, laughing. Izuku rubbed him head, attempting to somewhat smooth the pain. The story was reassuring, it was amazing in fact. But Izuku... he was still doubtful.

You can't just take years of bullying, abuse, and self doubt and make it all vanish with one short story. The doubt will linger and eat away at your mind. You can only temporarily slow it.

But, that's not to say Izuku isn't grateful for the encouragement.

"Thank you, sir. For the encouragement, for the story, and for the company. I can't say I'm fully reassured, but... I'll probably never be. But once again, thank you. It was an amazing story!" Izuku gave a perky smile, watching as the old man laughed a bit.

He calmed his chuckles, saying, "you aren't a a bad kid, eh? Well, lunch is about over. You better get back to work soon. If I know that Tora chick, she's a real workaholic... or maybe she's just trying to impress Abigail. Either way, she's whoop your ass if she sees ya' slackin. For your own sake, I recommend you get an early start."

Izuku nods with a smile, feeling a bit better now. His doubts and fears still nipped at his brain, but he ignored them to help the man back into the wheelchair before heading off to help out elsewhere.

~~>~~>~~>~~>~💚~<~~<~~<~~<~~

It was a long while, but soon enough, Tora came to retrieve her tiny green bean child. Abigail was with her, chatting up a storm.

"Baby Izuuu~ it's time to go!" Izuku sits up, his head turning to lock his eyes on the pair.

Tora walks over with a small skip in her step, hugging Izuku like she's his aunt or something. Petting his little curls, Tora giggled as she watched Izuku just give up and relax. He knows he can't escape.

But then- Abigail comes over. "I wanna hug the baby toooo!"

Oh god no it's another Tora.

Abigail also feels the need to squeeze the death out of both Izuku and Tora.

Izuku wheezes, talking in muffled words. "Doof you knowf wha perfenal sface is?"

"Absolutely not!" "Nope!"

Okay, that's enough hugging.

Izuku pulls his legs up, causing him to slide down and out of the cage of arms that contained him. He rolls out, getting up to grab his bag and make a fucking run for it!

He shot out the door, hearing the after effect of removing himself from the situation. Mainly the fact that it pretty much just caused them to hug each other. Abigail sounds happy...

Buuut

I think Tora just passed out, oh no what have I done-