Timeloop Trouble

Chapter 26 - Autographs and Cat Cafes

Izuku carefully lifted the boy's cap, making him look up.

"Quirks aren't everything," Izuku said as he took out a pen from his bag. "Sure, they're cool and flashy and commonplace, but they're not all that if you stop to think about it. Because you know what? I bet you're crazy talented too, even without one. We don't need quirks to make us strong."

With that he signed the cap, writing his autograph on the inside of the harder part so rain wouldn't wash it away. But also because every time he'd hide away, he'd be able to see it, to be reminded.

"Never forget that, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded, showing him a small smile. The train shuddered to another stop and Izuku glanced up, realizing this was where he got off.

"It was nice meeting you, Kato-san," Izuku said, getting up again, saying goodbye to his mother too before hurrying off the train.

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"If it isn't mister popular."

Izuku rolled his eyes when he passed Shinsou in the bathrooms during lunch, still smiling at the greeting. He knew Hitoshi didn't mean any harm in calling him teasing names like that, unlike Monoma, who'd been rather annoying to him this morning.

"What happened to being a reckless psychopath?" Izuku asked, raising a brow.

"Guess that changed to reckless, but surprisingly popular, sociopath," Shinsou hummed, leaning against the radiator next to him as Izuku washed his hands. "Saw that clip of you on the train. You know, the one where you're talking to that quirkless kid?"

"Oh, that's going around already huh?" Izuku sighed. He hadn't expected it to get a lot of traction in such a short amount of time, but what do you know? He really shouldn't keep underestimating the power of social media... "Why bring it up? Want an autograph?"

"Nah, I'm good," he chuckled. "I actually want something else from you."

"Friendship?" Izuku teased, having Shinsou roll his eyes at him this time around.

"A support item."

Now that got Izuku's attention. I mean, he could already guess what kind of item he was looking for- He'd seen his voice changer at least a thousand times over the course of his past lifetimes- But why did he need it? Unless...

"Oh my god," Izuku gasped. "They're letting you try out for the hero course?! I'm so happy for you, Shinsou-kun!"

"Shush! Not so loud!" Hitoshi whisper hissed, slapping his hand over Izuku's mouth. "But yeah, the board is considering my transfer. But that's only if I pass their test, which involves training with actual hero course students. So I really need something to boost my range if I want to make it in."

"You can count on me," Izuku told him, pushing his hand away. "Oh, this is so exciting! My first official request!"

"What? Seriously?" Shinsou asked. "I thought you'd be the most popular support course kid by now. I mean, there's gotta be something wrong with those hero course students if they don't request you after the sportsfestival."

"Their revisions haven't actually come in yet," Izuku explained as they left the bathroom. "And they mostly come in big batches, like after their internships or right before the practical exams, so it's not like they change up their gear that often. Not enough for me to be requested, anyway."

"Well, happy to be your first, then," Shinsou chuckled. "Meet up after school to go over the details?"

"Sounds good."