Izuku's POV

I got up earlier than usual today. Blame the nightmares. I'm pretty sure the purples under my eyes have turned black now and that guarantees inescapable smacking from Mei.

I dragged myself to the cafe and started cleaning up earlier than usual. It was easy because Mrs Suzuki stayed back last night and helped me clean up. Although she didn't have to do that, she insisted because she had nothing to do and was loving the chat. We were talking about pets.

I quickly cleaned the counter top and visited my fur balls who lazily curled up around me in greeting. A few minutes later, Toshi and Mei entered and were surprised to see the almost clean cafe.

Mei: Oi, what's going on? You hired someone?

Izuku: Nope! I woke up early.

I felt her gasp and Toshi groan.

Hitoshi: Your patrol ends around 2:30 am.

Mei (demanding): When did you wake up?

Izuku: W-well…

Hitoshi: Zuku, are you okay?

Izuku: What? I'm-

Hitoshi(smirking): When did you wake up?

Izuku (under Hitoshi's control): 4:30

Hitoshi: When did you come back from patrol?

Izuku: 2:40 am

A smack broke me from Toshi's control. Needless to say, my pink-haired freak of a sister continued reprimanding me while rendering my head numb for almost five minutes.

Hitoshi: I never knew Todoroki of all people would try to start a conversation. I mean, the guy barely talks.

Mei: Yup. Even during lunch he sits alone. Although some kids join him, he refuses to talk.

Izuku: Yeah. He seems very distant but I know that it's due to his past. Let's agree that all of us have trust issues.

Mei: Agreed.

Toshi's mother had abandoned him when she found out that her son's quirk was brainwashing. Her quirk was telepathy and his father's was called command. He could command people to do things after touching their foreheads. Toshi's father, however, loved his son more than anything. Toshi trusted no one other then his father, Mei and me due to being bullied all his life and being called a villain.

Mei on the other hand was a rather different case. Her parents love her and support her a lot but she was bullied too. Her quirk allowed her to zoom and see things upto 500 metres -which I find to be really cool. Mei never cares about her appearance and looks like a mess but that's what we like about her. People have called her ugly but she never cared. The only thing that she was somewhat upset about was the fact that people broke her inventions, saying that someone as appalling as her could never become an inventor. For me, my Ne-saan is the most beautiful woman.

Despite her carefree attitude, she is a teen like us. Years of being taunted for her looks led her to become a little insecure about it but having someone who didn't care about it, us, was a good change for her. She hardly trusted others (if you count out using them as test dummies) and sometimes, her insecurities resurface. Though she's almost over them now, we still try not to let her feel them in the slightest.

Hitoshi: Still, the fact that he's been visiting you for the past few days is…. Surprising.

Izuku: I mean, I'm kinda surprised too. I've met him as Karma and he barely talked. I guess it was due to the circumstances of our meeting. He had bruises- Endeavour. I didn't think it was wise to pressure him into talking since it was the first time we met.

Mei: I'm sure he'll open up a little. It's too early to expect him to talk to Karma.

Izuku: I hope so. I mean, I've asked him to stay on the roof if he wanted to talk and I'm flying over almost everyday.

Hitoshi: That's good.

Mei: Welp, we should get going.

I sighed and nodded. I wish I could spend more time with them. They hugged me and left the cafe. Another boring day ahead. I'm kinda peeved to be honest. I hadn't seen Eraserhead for two consecutive days and the third day he showed up but barely interacted with me. I was so scared that I had offended him and wanted to desperately talk to him. The next day, he started the conversation much to my happiness but it was about coffee. Yeah, not surprised. I asked him why he hadn't shown up for two days and why he seemed so distant but he simply shook his head stating that it was nothing I should worry about. Weird, but I didn't want to pry. Something tells me that the rat is behind it.

On top of that, some UA kids, including Ms. Cotton candy and gang minus Kacchan, always stopped by. A day ago the pinkette spotted Shouto in the cafe and lost her shit. Ooh, talk about dramatic. She's a nice person. Shouto was clueless as to why it was such a big deal and I had to step in to stop Mina, that's her name if I remember correctly, from getting everyone's attention to "Endeavour's son". She did apologise later, so that's good.

Todoroki Shouto. Now, he was becoming more enigmatic than before. It was weird and kinda funny to see him attempt at small talk. Awkward silences were common but we've gotten used to them. He's been asking me about a lot of things, mostly about my life as a quirkless person. What's more interesting is that he's been taking interest in the lives of people with so-called villainous quirks as well. I was surprised when he said that his homeroom teacher, Eraserhead, also had what could be considered as a villainous quirk. Since he couldn't ask Aizawa about it nor does he have friends or acquaintances who had similar quirks, he thought that I might help him out. Of course, I'm actually happy about it and am talking to him about it. Honestly, despite his obliviousness, he's really smart. Apparently, he came up with a theory about Toshi being Aizawa's secret love child after he had seen my purple ououto at the sports festival. I still haven't told Toshi about that and I'm actually looking forward to it lol. They do look similar, especially with their 'I'm-so-done-with-my-life' attitude and their love for cats and coffee. Maybe Shouto's right.

Time seemed to pass by rather quickly and now I'm watching as Shouto walked towards me. I wonder what he's gonna talk about today.

Izuku: Good evening, Todoroki-kun. The usual, I presume?

He nodded and placed his bag on the side of the counter before pulling out his notebook. He usually starts working on his homework while I prepare his cold coffee.

Izuku: So, anything interesting today?

He looked up from his book and tapped his chin. I'm not sure if can classify something as interesting because he's quite oblivious. I'm gonna have to educate him.

Shouto: Kaminari accidentally electrocuted Aoyama during combat training.

Oh my god..

Izuku: Aoyama? The glamorous model?

Shouto: Yes. Then Aoyama was crying because his 'gorgeous' hair looked like a cloud. 

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. Aoyama had visited the cafe a few days ago and my my he loves himself a lot! Not that it's a bad thing but it was kinda irritating how he wanted me to review his fabulous hero outfit and Cape from a photo. I don't even like capes. (A/N Shouto: are you Edna's secret love child?)

Izuku: Oh, poor thing.

A few moments of silence followed and I placed his coffee in front of him while taking orders from another customer.

Shouto: What do you think about mutants?

Yup, new topic today.

Izuku: Mutants? As in people with animal-mutant quirks?

Shouto: Hmm. Like Tokoyami.

The boy with bird head, huh? I remember him from the sports festival.

Izuku: Hmm… I don't really have an opinion. For me, every quirk is great. Be it physical, mental or mutation.

Shouto: No, I mean, do they face discrimination?

Izuku: Unfortunately, yes. It's disappointing how people think mutants are freaks.

He nodded thoughtfully and took out a small notebook. Flipping through the pages, he turned it towards me and tapped the page for me to look.

Shouto: I have collected some information from the internet about quirkless people. Their population has been decreasing rapidly over the years.

Izuku: You know what that means, right?

Shouto: Suicide.

I'm really happy he's looking into these things. He'll make an amazing hero.

Izuku: Can I ask you something?

He looked at me with a small frown but nodded nevertheless.

Izuku: Why are you doing this? I mean, I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm more than happy that someone is trying to know these things. But why? No one usually cares about us. No offense but you have an amazing quirk and a good opportunity ahead. I'm sorry if I'm being insensitive about something.

He looked a little surprised but eventually let a small, barely noticeable chuckle.

Shouto: It's alright. I can understand. To be honest, my life isn't exactly great. I can't tell you the details, at least not now.

Izuku: I'm sorry and it's totally fine.

Shouto: I'm doing this because I realised that people have it worse. A hero's job is to make sure everyone is safe irrespective of their quirk or any other factor. I can't be a good hero if I'm unaware of what's actually happening in society. I don't really have friends, never did and so I don't know anything about other types of quirks. I did know that people who are 'weak' are treated like trash.

The venom in his voice when he said 'weak' was actually heartbreaking. It was about Todoroki Touya.

Shouto: I realised that just because I'm having it bad doesn't mean I should wallow in self pity. I can help those who are going through the same or even worse. That's what a hero does, right?

I smiled and nodded. My god, he's going to be the best hero out there. I'll sell my soul to see him become the No 1 hero than have a feral pomeranian in that spot.

Izuku: I'm glad you understand. You have the heart of a true hero, Todoroki-kun. Also, free coffee for you from today!

I watched as his face shifted from nonchalance to a slight smile to horror. Seeing so many emotions on his face was funny.

Shouto: I'm sorry, you can't do that. I can't accept it. I'm going to pay for my coffee. It's your job, Midoriya. I can't accept this.

I chuckled and shook my head. We argued for a few more moments when I gave up.

Izuku: Fine. But today's coffee is free. Please don't deny.

He sighed in defeat and nodded.

Shouto: Also, I wanted to ask you something.

I slid a couple of chocolate cookies towards him and nodded: Shoot.

Shouto: Did you have someone to talk to?

Izuku (raising an eyebrow): As in someone to Vent to?

He nodded and I sighed: I don't remember. I've made two friends and confide in them sometimes. They're like me so we can understand each other.

Shouto looked a little hesitant before nodding. It looked as if he wanted to ask me something. So I urged him to be open with me.

Shouto: Someone asked me to talk to them if I wanted to.

Is it about me as Karma?

Izuku: Wow, really? Who is it?

Shouto: I'm sorry I can't reveal their identity.

Izuku: It's alright. Sorry for asking.

Shouto: No, it's fine. I don't know them well. In fact we only met once and they helped heal my wounds. Again, can't reveal much. Technically, they're a stranger to me but I can say that they are genuinely trying to help me. They're not trying to force me. They're being patient.

Izuku (hiding a small smile): Todoroki-kun, I'll be honest with you. It all depends on what you want. If you are comfortable with sharing your secrets with someone, then you can. You said they're being patient, so that's good, right? What I can tell you is that when someone offers help, take it. We had no one to help us but here's someone who volunteered to help you. I'd say give it a try but in the end, it all depends on you.
(A/N the INFJ dilemma tho)

He looked like he was in deep thought but nodded slowly. I didn't want to pressure him into opening up to me. When he opens up, I'll reveal myself. Todoroki Shouto is officially eligible to know about me.

Shouto: Thank you, Midoriya. You've helped me a lot.

Izuku: Don't thank me, Todoroki-kun. That's what friends do.

Shouto (surprised): Friends?

Izuku: If you want us to be. I'm sorry if it feels like I'm forcing you to.

Shouto: No. It's just.. I've never had friends.

Izuku: So….? Friends?

Shouto (with a small smile): Friends.

He packed his things and nodded curtly before leaving the cafe. I'm happy, really really happy. I can't wait to tell my two idiots about it. Maybe soon, I'll have a new best friend/brother.

(2181 words)