In the bustling streets, adults chatted with friends, while children played and hung out with their parents. Amidst this lively scene, a man—more boy than adult—walked along the sidewalk, his gaze fixed on the ground as if counting each step. His shoes, broken and torn, shuffled lazily, and an overpowering scent clung to him, causing nearby pedestrians to wrinkle their noses in disgust. Some hurled insults his way, their annoyance evident.

Undeterred, the boy—known as Ty—pressed forward, accustomed to the harsh treatment. He reached a nearby store and pushed open its creaky doors, the bell above announcing his arrival. "Oh, Ty! I wasn't expecting you today. What can I get for you this time?" The woman behind the counter beamed, her voice sweet and cheerful.

Ty's eyes brightened at the sight of her. "Miranda, hi," he replied, his voice soft and calm.

"Same old, Miranda," Ty continued, settling into a nearby seat by the counter. His hands rummaged through his backpack. Miranda, already busy preparing Ty's meal, smiled. The aroma of cooking food filled the air. "So," she began, her voice kind but tinged with sadness, "what adventures have you had today? Hopefully not another dumpster dive?" The mention of his scavenging habits made Ty blush, embarrassment written across his face. "N-No," he stammered.

Miranda chuckled, seeing right through his denial. "Ty," she said calmly, "you don't need to lie to me. It's okay. You know I'll always be here for you, don't you?"

"Obviously," Ty replied, his eyes meeting hers. The warmth in her gaze eased the ache in his heart.

"Here's your favorite, dear," Miranda said as she set the plate down with a flourish, its scent wafting up, rich and inviting. Ty glanced up from his work, a smile breaking through as he accepted the meal and began to eat with gusto, savoring every bite.

"Miranda," Ty began, his tone heavy, pausing mid-bite. Miranda's eyes met his, filled with concern. "Do you think I'll make it? Will they even take me, with my quirk that society doesn't quite embrace, and my… my lack of brilliance?" He was cut off mid-thought as Miranda interjected. "Listen here, boy. They'll take you. You shine bright, you've got a heart of gold, and above all, you're a hero. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can convince me otherwise," she declared, her conviction unwavering. "Understand, Ty?" she pressed. Left with no alternative, Ty nodded in agreement.

Her gaze swept across the room, as if searching for someone else.

"Your brothers vanished again, hasn't he?" Miranda's voice carried a note of inquiry. "Have you reached out to him?" she pressed on.

Ty's expression clouded over at the mention of his brother; his pen halted, and he slouched in his chair. "No, I haven't reached out. It's not like he'd bother anyway," Ty said, his voice trailing off into a disheartened whisper.

Miranda shook her head in disapproval. "That boy, honestly," she muttered, her frustration evident. "He's the one who should be looking after you, not me. He promised Vanessa as much, you know?" she said, leaning casually against the counter, her head cocked to the side. Snapped out of his reverie by her words, Ty looked up abruptly. "Sorry, what was that?" he asked, to which Miranda responded with a soft laugh.

"Vanessa ought to be the one taking care of you," Miranda remarked, her voice floating over the sound of coffee brewing. "She'd be overjoyed to witness your growth; she'd take such pride in it." A warm smile graced Miranda's face as she reminisced, the aroma of fresh coffee filling the room.

Ty offered a noncommittal hum. "I've never met her, so it's hard to say if she'd feel proud," he countered.

Miranda's response was tinged with sadness. "Ye, you're right."

Suddenly, Ty's eyes darted to the clock, and he nearly choked on his meal. "Oh my gosh, I'm running late!" In a flurry, he scrambled to pack his papers into his bag, slot books into his binder, and tossed his plate into the trash. "RECYCLING, TY! Plates go in the recycling bin," Miranda chided, her voice rising in exasperation. "Sorry," Ty mumbled, quickly embracing Miranda before dashing out the door.

...

U.A High School, the premier institution for aspiring heroes and the alma mater of Japan's most celebrated hero, All Might. He is the nation's pride, the beacon for youth everywhere, the symbol of hope whose smile offers solace in times of distress, and the bane of villains.

The People's Champion.

To Ty, the school loomed even larger up close, his fingers drumming nervously against his denim-clad thigh. The mere prospect of joining U.A's ranks was daunting; after all, it was the cradle of Japan's beloved heroes, renowned for its illustrious history and achievements. It was only natural for Ty to feel a flutter of anxiety.

Inhale, exhale, you can do this. This silent pep talk steadied Ty's racing heart. With renewed resolve, he crossed the threshold, navigating through the bustling corridors, brushing shoulders with students and heroes-turned-educators. Then, a pause—a moment of self-doubt as he realized he was lost. A flush of embarrassment warmed his cheeks as he cursed his poor sense of direction. Help was close at hand, though. Down the corridor, a senior student lounged on a bench, engrossed in his phone. "Excuse me," Ty called out, prompting the senior to glance up, his annoyance evident. Ty's embarrassment deepened.

"What?" the senior muttered, barely looking up. "Oh, I'm just trying to find the orientation," Ty stammered, feeling his face grow hotter with each word. The embarrassment was palpable. With a lazy gesture to the left, the senior instructed, "Go that way, straight on until the double doors. Head downstairs, and you'll find it on your left." His tone was tinged with sleepiness and irritation. "Now, leave me be."

"Right, yes, of course, my apologies for the intrusion," Ty responded, bowing quickly in apology before hurrying off towards the gymnasium where the orientation was about to commence.