CH.8

Each step Tatsumaki took felt troubling to her. She couldn't think of anything else except for what awaited her beyond the door of the principal. But there was no stopping what had happened. Thus, she knocked on the principal's door and waited for a response, which then came in the voice of the principal. Then, with a bit of hesitance, she opened the door and closed it behind her when she walked in.

"Okay, principal, I know using my quirk against someone in school is against the rules, but I have a good reason for –" Tatsumaki said and stopped. Her reason was because of a humanoid furry animal in a suit and two men next to it. "Uh...why is there a rodent in a tuxedo over there?"

The principal said nothing, other than do a facepalm. Unknown to Tatsumaki she had just insulted a very important individual. Even the two male government civil servants were a bit taken about by her question at the so-called rodent. Then there the two men next to the 'rodent' who just glared at the girl until the muscular one of the two, dressed in a blue tank-top and grey pants, said something in response.

"You should respect authority, girl! Clearly, you don't know who you're speaking too!" The super muscular guy said. Then he pointed at the animal. "This is Mr. Principal of U.A High, the most prestigious academy for heroes in the world."

Ah, Tank Top Master…No need to be so formal." said the animal calmly and sincerely.

Tatsumaki was surprised. It wasn't because of what Tank Top Master had said, but because of the fact that the animal spoke right there.

"Wait, you can talk?!" Tatsumaki said with wide eyed.

"Yes, I can. I can understand how surprising this can be." Mr. Principal said. Then he gestured to the other man next to him. "You now know Tank Top Master and me, but I believe you may not know him. He is the hero Easerhead. We came here in response to a…problem you're facing."

"A problem? I'm not facing any problem." Tatsumaki said straightly. Her nervousness earlier seemed to now be entirely gone as she continued. "And what does a bunch of so called heroes want with me?! I don't plan on going to your crappy academy! Not now or ever!"

"Then I guess you truly are not aware." Eraserhead said composedly.

"Aware? Aware of what?" Tatsumaki asked.

Eraserhead didn't respond. He didn't have to, mainly because the two men by the other side of the office then stood up. One of them had brown hair and seemed to be younger while the other one had glasses, black hair and had facial hair.

"Tatsumaki, we are from the ministry of Housing and Development." said the guy with black hair. "Let me just say your rescue and swift action yesterday was admirable. However, the government monitors fights caused by people with quirks in order to preserve safety and order."

"Hence, why we are here." added the guy with brown hair. "Tatsumaki, what you did yesterday caused major property damage. Normally, payment for these financial losses will be in the hands of the government if the action was caused by a graduated hero with a hero license of any internationally registered hero academy. But considering you are not from any registered hero academy or a graduate of such or the fact that you lack a hero license has…You can see the problem here."

The government has decided to bill you for the collateral damage."

"WHAT!?" Tatsumaki shouted in shock. "Y-You can't be serious?! I was just saving my classmates from a monster that the other heroes were too chicken to handle! I can't be billed for this!"

"You can…and you have been." said the other guy.

The guy with brown hair then brought out a paper and handed it over to Tatsumaki. It was just a simple paper, though in reality it was more than that. Thus, when Tatsumaki took it and looked at it, her eyes widened as her hands began to shake just by staring at the huge numbers before her.

"N-No way…This is too much…I can't afford any of this…None of my part time jobs can keep up with this amount…Yo-You have to be kidding…" Tatsumaki said with a shaky voice.

Sadly, no matter how much she tried to see it, she was really in serious trouble. The paper in her hand held every financial account of the things she destroyed that day, as well as the total of it. In short, the girl was now in a massive debt to the government and there was nothing she could do about it.

Not too surprising, this had an effect on her emotional. Her hands just seemed to continue shaking as her voice just seemed to shake like she was trying to say something. However, when she did act, it wasn't in the best of everyone. Her powers suddenly activated, which immediately began to levitate everything except the people and the couch Mr. Principal was on.

"You're joking! I can't pay for this! Is this what I get for saving people's lives, you ungrateful people huhhhhh!?"

The government workers were a bit taken aback. Tatsumaki's power was now not only affecting the office but the entire school building as a whole. Classes had started since Tatsumaki had left, but with the tables and other objects rising, even Izuku was surprised and knew who it was doing it.

Fortunately, the group from U.A Academy knew what to do. This was obvious when Mr. Principal turned to Eraserhead and called to him, to which the man responded appropriately. Tatsumaki's powers suddenly powered down, much to her shock.

"Huh? What the –" Tatsumaki said.

Mr. Principal sighed with a smile. "That sure was something huh? I'm sorry for having your quirk cut off like that, but we wouldn't want you to be in extra debt, now do we?"

"Uh…true." Tatsumaki replied. "But how were you able to do that? My quirk isn't working."

"Mr. Eraserhead is your answer." Mr. Principal answered.

Tatsumaki turned to who he referred to and noticed something different about the guy. His face expression was still the same, but his pupils were surprisingly red.

'He can shut down a person's quirk? How's that even possible?' Tatsumaki asked.

So now you understand…" Mr. Principal said. "Tatsumaki, you're a very talented girl and clearly have so much to look forward in life. Luckily, when the ministry made their financial conclusion, we were consulted on a solution to your problem. Of course, the decision you make is up to you. We won't force you…But I would advise you make the right choice."

"What are you talking about?" Tatsumaki asked.

Just then, the man with black hair went forward. "We're offering you a better chance to repay your debt." He said. "If you're able to successfully enroll into U.A High, you'll have a chance to graduate and obtain a hero license. Then once you've accomplish that, all your debt will be immediately cleared. This is a loophole that you can exploit."

"WHAT!?" Tatsumaki shouted and glared angrily at the man. "Be a hero!? You're crazy if you think I'll join a bunch of attention seekers!? I have better things to do!"

"And what's that? Paying off that huge debt?" Eraserhead asked subtly. "Honestly, I don't care what choice you make, but I've seen the numbers…even you can't pay that off before you die of old age. You must know that, right?"

Tatsumaki gritted her teeth in frustration. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right about her situation. However, with her quirk locked and the tension of the situation, there were only two things the girl could do. She clutched the paper in her hand and screamed out loud.

_(LINE BREAK)_

With a ring of a bell, school finally came to an end. Students could now be seen walking out of the school's gate as each student wanted to get home after yet another long day in school. The same was for Izuku, who currently could be seen walking out the front gate when he saw a certain girl standing at the fence with her forehead depressingly on the fence itself.

"Tatsumaki?" Izuku called. However, he got no response. 'I wonder what happened in the principal's office. She looks so depressed.' He thought.

Now at this point his curiosity and concern for the girl got the best of him. So when he approached Tatsumaki, he was cautious to observe her while reaching his hand to her. He did hear her continue muttering the word 'debt' over and over again, but couldn't figure what it was. Hence, he made his move and tapped her shoulder lightly.

"Tatsumaki…are you okay?" Izuku asked.

Tatsumaki suddenly became quiet. It was odd and yet somewhat scary that she did that so sudden. However, before Izuku could ponder on it, Tatsumaki slowly turned her head to him to reveal a creepy look and gritted teeth. Unknown to Izuku, the girl was angry at him.

"Oh look who decided to show up; the cause of my debt." Tatsumaki said suddenly. At the same time, her face expression seemed to get scarier as she continued. "Hey, Midoriya, how about you follow me for a bit of a…chat?"

"Uh…I don't know…" Izuku answered nervously. Something about Tatsumaki was off, even more than usual, and he didn't like it. "I have to go home…My mum would be –"

"Oh no. I insist." Tatsumaki interjected. "Besides…you can't go to your mum if you're in the air, right?"

"Huh?"

Just then, Izuku was taken aback. Tatsumaki seemed to follow up on what she said, whether Izuku liked it or not. As a result, the teenage boy now found his body encased in a green aura, much to his shock, before being flown upwards with Tatsumaki following him.

Fortunately, the situation wasn't as bad as it seemed. Tatsumaki was angry, but she wasn't one to put a young person's life in danger unless it was necessary. As such, the two of them now found themselves sitting at the edge of a building with Tatsumaki explaining all that had happened andIzuku then feeling guilty.

"It really is my fault…" Izuku said depressingly. "You had to save us back then…but now you're in debt…If I hadn't been a burden to All Might then none of this would've happened…I really am pathetic."

"You are! That's for sure!" Tatsumaki yelled.

Izuku tightened his fists on his lap and tried to hold back his tears from leaking out. He didn't want to cry, especially not in the presence of Tatsumaki. But he couldn't help one thought from coming.

'Maybe I'm not worthy for One for All...' Izuku thought depressingly. 'Maybe I should give up…I can't be a hero if I cause someone such a burden.' But then he shook his head and become determined. 'No, I shouldn't think that! I want to be a hero, so I shouldn't back down! A hero takes responsibility…That means I should…No, I will…'

"Tatsumaki!" Izuku called suddenly. The depressed and guilt filled look he had on his face was gone as he was now staring determinedly at the girl. "I'll take responsibility!" He stated.

"Wh-What?!" Tatsumaki was shocked. The way Izuku had spoken up, plus the sudden change of his mood, was enough to catch the girl a bit off guard. "Responsibility?! What are you talking about?!:"

"About U.A!" Izuku said back. "You're going to attend the academy and graduate so you can clear your debt, right?! Well I'm going there too! I'll help you in any way I can, so don't worry!"

Tatsumaki was still surprised by Izuku's strong words. It was one thing to claim responsibility and another to speak so forwardly that it could surprise a person. But then, as Tatsumaki heard it all, she looked away while trying to calm herself.

"Idiot…don't talk like it'll be so easy." Tatsumaki said. "You don't have a quirk, so you won't make it there."

"You don't have to worry about that too!" Izuku stated. "I…All Might is going to train me…He knows I can be a great hero…So, Tatsumaki…you don't have to worry because…because…because we'll make it in U.A High! We'll make it there and become pro heroes! I know it!"

Tatsumaki turned to him with a glare. Hence, before Izuku knew it, the girl used her hand to push on his face, causing him to fall on his back.

"Have you been listening to me?! I don't want to be a hero!" Tatsumaki stated angrily. "Heroes don't exist in this world. The ones you see are just a bunch of attention seekers! The same is for anyone else who's going to that dumb academy."

Izuku rubbed his face and sat back up. He had been taken aback by Tatsumaki's shove on his face, but didn't mind it. Now he was facing her again, though with a curious look.

"They're not attention seekers." Izuku said. "I've been following on heroes…I wrote some of their tips on my book you saved from Kacchan. The heroes I see are good people."

"Yeah, in the public eye." Tatsumaki replied. "Tell me, Midoriya, have you ever seen a hero save others without a camera or people there to watch?"

"Yes. I saw All Might." Izuku answered.

"Then where was he when the little girls needed him?" Tatsumaki asked.

Izuku was taken aback. The question Tatsumaki had asked about seemed to have come out all of a sudden. It was unconnected to their conversation, while at the same time getting a questioning look on his face especially as Tatsumaki suddenly frowned and looked down at the streets below them.

"Your so called heroes are people of the day." Tatsumaki said sadly. "They're always there to beat the villain when he pops up in the open…but what about the dark? What about the cold dark where there is no light? What about the place where tears for a savior were never answered? I'll tell you what…it's because real heroes don't exist."

"Tatsumaki…" Izuku muttered, somewhat troubled.

The words Tatsumaki said got the teen into a realization. The girl's distain for heroes wasn't plain; they were to a personal level than anything he would've thought. It was obvious on her sad face and clear by her hands tightening into fists like she was holding back her own emotion. But before anything could be said, Tatsumaki had something else to say.

I sometimes envy you, Midoriya…" Tatsumaki said with a low tone. "This world can be unfair, but yet you have the choice to be who you are. You could work hard to be a doctor, a police officer, as firefighter…anything at all. But you choose to be a hero…someone that really doesn't work well in this world. I never had any choice in my earlier life…It was over before I knew it."

Now Izuku was silent. What he heard from Tatsumaki was not only personal, but really deep. It began to make him question the type of person the girl was and just what her past was. But before he could say anything, Tatsumaki laughed halfheartedly and swung her legs back and forth.

"Why am I even telling you this? We're not family or friends…We're not even acquaintances. We're just classmates…" Tatsumaki said.

'We're just classmates?' Izuku thought with mild surprise. 'I know we're not close but…I thought we might grow from more than that.'

"Well that's about it." Tatsumaki said and then stood up. "I just feel like I wasted my time here. Now if you excuse me, I have a part time job to get to."

With that said, Tatsumaki turned away and began to walk. She had a particular place in mind since it was one of her place of work. However, before she could activate her quirk, Izuku called out to her and stood on his feet again, facing her determinedly.

"You have a choice, Tatsumaki!" Izuku stated. He still felt awkward though, as he fidget a bit and tightened his fist. "You've always had a choice…just like now! I don't know your past and I don't think I ever will…but…but I don't think you should think otherwise of yourself! You can choose now to not go to U.A High! But if you ask me…I think you should attend the academy anyway…It's not so you can pay your debt but because…well, I think you can be a great hero. You can be the hero you want to be…at least that's what I think."

'Be the hero I want to be?' Tatsumaki thought deeply. She still had her back at Izuku as she continued. 'I never thought of that…But it doesn't matter. It's too stupid to do.' She thought.

"Besides…" Izuku continued. "You can help…You get to feel that fulfillment of a job well done…"

Hmph! You talk like you're already one of them."

"That's because I going to be a hero." Izuku smiled. His fidgeting stop and he continued. "Not just any hero, but the greatest and strongest hero ever. I know it sounds farfetched, but it's not impossible. And you shouldn't give up, not until you try and see things for yourself. You have a choice, Tatsumaki. Use it…As the great hero, King, once said...'What does it mean to be the greatest hero, until you discover the answer there's no time to be wasting feeling bored.'"

Tatsumaki smiled amusedly. Izuku's words were surprisingly inspirational. In fact, it was so inspirational that she remarked about it when she turned to him. "That's oddly inspirational, Midoriya...And that's saying something considering how much of wimp you are."

"Uh…Thank you."

Tatsumaki then suddenly laughed. Her action caught Izuku by surprise, before she stopped with a snickering smile. "Greatest hero? A choice? That's pretty funny just to think about…Good one, Midoriya."

Izuku frowned. 'She still doesn't believe me…' He thought.

"Anyway…" Tatsumaki continued. "I'll be going now. I got a part time job to get to. As for that crappy academy, I really have no choice to refuse it…That's something you were wrong about. So bye."

With that, Tatsumaki covered her body in the green aura and flew off.

"Tatsumaki, wait!" Izuku shouted.

However, he was too late. Tatsumaki flew too fast for her to hear him, thus leaving him with a scary thought.

"How am I supposed to get down?"

Tatsumaki don't leave me (Anime tears)