Chapter Text
Okay, okay. He could do this. Totally.
Just run across a few roof tops, find a good patrol route and learn more about the area.
And for the love of All Might, don’t engage in anything else.
But fate, naturally, ignored him.
A scream shot out, from the side of the building that Izuku was currently running across the roof of.
“Augh! Get off of me, you bastard!”
Izuku skidded to a stop, peering over the edge. Below, in the light of a flickering streetlamp, a drunk man was pinning a woman to the wall, snarling threats around a broken glass bottle.
He didn’t even think. His body just moved on its own.
Jumping down, he landed hard. Right on the guy’s back. (Element of surprise really does wonders.)
The man hit the pavement with a grunt and didn’t move. Izuku checked to find the man was unconscious.
Well, that was easier than he expected. Then again, his knees seriously hurt now.
Hands trembling slightly, he fished out the last zip ties from his jumper pocket, securing the man to a rusted pipe. It wasn’t elegant hero work, but it would hold.
Immediately, he looked over with concern to the woman staring wide eyed, still leaning against the wall, but having slid to the ground.
“You okay?” His voice cracked embarrassingly. “I mean- obviously not okay okay, you were just attacked and that’s terrible and- I’m rambling aren't I?”
She arched an eyebrow, looking up at him. “A little bit.”
“Right- Right, sorry.” He promptly shuts up then, not sure if she meant she was a little bit okay or if he's rambling a little bit.
Funny how his heart is pounding more from the social interaction, than from anything else. Then again, he hasn't really had a conversation with anyone but his mom- And that's a sad thought he should ignore for now.
She huffed a laugh, as she stood back up slowly. “Thank you. Really. Most heroes forget a bit about the victim once they get the villain.”
Izuku blinked. Did she just call him a hero?
How... foreign. He focused on his breathing, not allowing the word to get to the better of him.
“I didn’t expect anyone to be here,” She continued quietly. “Heroes aren't usually seen around here.”
He frowned at that. He almost wanted to ask where the hell they were then.
But the guilt started to creep in as the adrenaline faded.
What was he even doing? He didn’t have a license. Or you know. A quirk.
“I think you should head to the police station,” He said instead, forcing his voice steady. “Tell them what happened. They’ll take care of… him.”
She nodded, then studied his black attire and mask, “I thought you were a pro off duty...or something. But, you’re not with the police, are you?”
His chest tightened. Before he could lie, her eyes widened in understanding.
She whispered, “You’re a vigilante... Aren't you?”
Well, that's his sign to go.
He didn't want to make her feel more uncomfortable with him around. In fact she’d probably go report him as well as the drunk man now.
Izuku got ready to climb back onto the next roof. But then an a hand grabbed his arm, “Wait! Be careful, please.”
He blinked down at her. That wasn’t fear in her voice. It was worry for him. He nodded dumbly.
She smiled at him. It was warm, like his mom. But unlike hers, it was real. Not forced.
He was still smiling to himself when he finally dragged his aching legs through his bedroom window and face planted on his bed.
And only when he woke up the next morning, he realised what he had actually done last night.
Izuku was pretty sure 15 year olds don’t do these kinds of things.
Within a few weeks, whispers grew in the backstreets of Mustafu. There was a nice guy out there.
No one knew his name. There wasn't a flashy costume or any press.
Just someone quietly helping where the pros didn’t bother as much.
Every few nights, Izuku gave what little pocket money he had to buy food for the hungry, or blankets for those freezing on the sidewalks.
It's not a lot, but it's what he can do for now. Sometimes, he contemplated selling some of his hero merch.
He always shopped at the same corner store, in the same full black getup, mask and green hoodie and always saw the same cashier, Yuuma.
They didn’t talk much. But Yuuma always gave him a small nod. And discounts. Lots of discounts.
At first, Izuku thought it was because he was helping people, but then Yuuma would know he was a vigilante and would call the police. Because that’s what a normal person would do.
And Yuuma's a pretty normal adult, aside for his quirk (seriously, being able to levitate light objects is so cool).
So when Izuku walked into the store that night and saw a man holding a gun to Yuuma’s head, and another holding a knife to a woman protecting two kids. His brain short-circuited.
He saved that woman just a few weeks ago. What was her luck?
Izuku usually walked silently to prevent unnecessary attention, and he was so grateful at that moment.
A 15 year old vs two armed men, is seriously dangerous. But at least Izuku had the element of surprise. (Hopefully he doesn't start relying on that).
So, without wasting another moment, Izuku leapt at the man with the gun and drives his clenched fist right into his neck, at the angle that hits the vagus nerve.
The other criminal almost looked over until the woman started talking, "Wow, you really know how to pick your crimes, huh?"
The moment the man dropped to unconsciousness, he catches him and gently lays him down, swiftly zip tying his hands together.
Yuuma gave Izuku shaky smile of relief (probably would have preferred a real hero to show up).
She's eyeing the blade like it's a rusty fork. "I mean, seriously, Yuuma's store isn't exactly, quality stuff-"
Yuuma gasped. "You take that back."
Izuku swiftly pocketed the man’s gun. No way he’s letting that go out of his sight.
"I'm just saying. This is prettyyy petty."
"Shut up." The guy growled.
The teen then stared at the other man (as he wrapped his jumper around one arm) who luckily didn't realise his partner in crime was out of commission.
Izuku continued to stand tall, he raised the bare arm holding the gun towards the robber, “Please stand down, sir.” Unfortunately the teen’s bluff didn’t work.
The man growled before charging towards Izuku with the knife.
Quickly he tossed the gun to the woman, in case things took a turn for the worse, who thankfully caught it.
The knife was coming for his chest, so he blocked it with the arm that was wrapped in his jumper, while thrusting his forearm into the man’s throat.
The man doubled over, dropping the knife, trying to breathe again. Izuku grabbed onto his shoulder and brought his knee to the man’s nose.
The man blacked out.
Izuku slowly lay him down, next to his partner. After ensuring they’re both ziptied properly, Izuku turned his head to the four civilians. “Is- Is everyone okay?”
The two small boys hurled themselves at Izuku. “Thank you!”, “ You saved us!”
Izuku patted their heads, “The nice lady protected you two before I came right?”
Their small heads bobbed up and down before turning to the lady, “Thank you, Miss!”
The lady turned away from her conversation with Yuuma, to give them a smile.
The younger kid tugged on Izuku's sleeve. “Are you a hero? What’s your name?”
“I uh, don't really have one...”
The kids gasped, “Can we name you?”
“I guess?” Because seriously, how do you say no to puppy eyes.
They started listing names like "Greenie" and "Shadow." - it's as creative as it gets with little kids.
Then Rina spoke again, voice softer this time. “What about Kibou? It means hope.”
Yuuma grinned, “That's exactly how I felt when I saw him sneak in.”
The two gasped, before agreeing, “It’s an awesome hero name!”
Kibou. A name filled with hope. It really felt like a hero's name.
He rubbed the back of neck, "I like that."
Then he looked at the boys. “So… what are you doing out here anyway?”
“Mama’s sick. We came to get medicine…” One boy showed some coins in his hand. Clearly not enough.
Izuku- No, Kibou. Kibou took in their worn clothes, tired eyes. “I’ll help.”
He grabbed some paracetamol, bread, apples, and a roll of bandages for himself.
Yuuma tried to stop him at the counter. “Half off.”
Kibou widened his eyes before waving his hands, “W-what, you meant 10% off, right?!”
Yuuma stared at Kibou in amusement, “Kibou, in case you forgot, you just saved my life.”
“Yeah, but it’s your store-”
“Okay, then it’s free.” Yuuma handed the bag of items.
“What?! No way! Take this!” Kibou shoved bills at him, flustered.
Everyone around him laughed.
Well before they heard the police sirens from afar.
“Ah, I got to go. Here.” Kibou took the bandage and then handed the rest to the kids.
“Thank you, Kibou!”
As Kibou turned toward the door, sirens growing louder, a hand reached for his arm again.
The woman was looking down, not at him. Her hand trembled just slightly as she pressed a napkin into his hand, a phone number scrawled across it in blue pen. “I’m… not, like, a professional or anything. Not even close. I’ve never been a manager or… done hero stuff.”
She laughed nervously, brushing lavender hair behind her ear. “I work in marketing. I make spreadsheets and argue with printers. But I think what you're doing is important. And maybe I can help? Like… I don't know, a manager or something.”
Kibou stared for a moment. That was not what he’d expected.
Her voice dropped, softer now. “Maybe, you're fine on your own but- Please at least consider it.”
He looked at the napkin in his hand, then back at her.
“I will,” he said simply.
And then Kibou ran out of the store, seconds before the police were on scene.
“Ow, ow, ow.” Kibou said to himself all the way home. First time getting a knife stab.
But then again there’s a first time for everything. So maybe this will be his first time getting a manager?
Izuku stared at the napkin again, days later, after school.
The taunting was rough today, Izanagi got a lower score than Izuku. Of course, it was Izuku's fault, so he faced a bit of backlash after.
The numbers were slightly smudged, he grazed his thumb over the ink, but still readable.
A manager. What would that even mean?
He barked out a harsh laugh and immediately pressed a palm over his mouth, as if someone might hear how pathetic it sounded.
He wasn't a hero. He was a vigilante. Unlicensed, unwanted, and definitely not the kind of person who had a manager.
That was for pros. For people on billboards or cereal boxes. The kind of people, Izuku could never be a part of. That's just how it is.
His eyes drifted to the posters scattered across his walls, of various pro heroes, many of All Might.
Who was he fooling? He was nothing like them. He caught the wrong kind of attention.
Maybe it's a sign to pack everything up, abandon Kibou all together. Go back to being just Deku.
And yet…That look in her eyes when she handed the napkin to him. There was hope.
The name Kibou felt a bit heavier all of a sudden. It sounded like too great a name for him, to give hope to others. But at the same time, that name gives Izuku hope.
He let out a groan and flopped back onto his bed. “What am I doing…”
Still, his fingers hovered over his phone. A long pause.
This was a chance. A stupid, reckless, selfish chance to be seen.
He rubbed at his eyes furiously. And then he called up the number.
Rina answered on the third ring. "Hello, this is Rina."
So that was her name. It suited her.
“Uh, hi. This is… Kibou.” It's awkward already, great going Izuku.
There was a loud clatter in the background, something metallic hit the floor, followed by a muffled curse.
“…Is everything okay?”
“Oh my god,” She breathed. “You actually called.”
Something sick twisted in his stomach. Was it a joke? A prank? He swallowed dryly, “Should I have not?”
“Oh no, no! Sorry, I just- I didn’t think you would. In a good way! I’m glad. Really glad.” She laughed softly. “Wow. Okay. Breathing.”
Izuku slowly smiled, wanting to be honest. “You seem nice. And I think… it would be nice to have some support.”
There was a pause. Then her voice came through, bright and sincere. “Of course! I’d love that! Are you free to meet?”
He hesitated. “I’d like to keep my identity hidden. For now.” Who knows, maybe the sight of plain Izuku, would change Rina's mind.
“Oh! That’s totally fine! Come in your full getup. We can meet at my apartment.”
Izuku scribbled the address she gave him into one of his notebooks.
“See you soon,” he said, before ending the call.
He sat on the edge of his bed for a moment, taking everything in, then stood to get ready.
Izuku quickly wrote a note in case his mother did come back early from her work (unlikely, but just in case).
“Holy crap, you really are short.” Was the first thing Rina said when Kibou came in.
“Thanks.” Kibou deadpanned. “How did you not know that?”
Rina simply shrugged. “The first time it was too dark, second time I was running on adrenaline, it’s kinda hazy. To be honest I wasn’t sure if I actually managed to give you my contact.”
He couldn’t help it, a small huff of laughter slipped out. She was so normal. It was weirdly comforting.
“I only have two hours today,” He said, more seriously.
Her blue eyes lit up. “Then let’s not waste a minute!” She clapped her hands and immediately started bossing him toward her kitchen table, already pulling out her laptop and papers.
The determined duo discussed as much as they could then. From big things like managing Kibou’s fame, so that it would slowly rise, to avoid unwanted attention; to the smaller things like having a social media page later on.
It felt good. Talking to someone who didn’t look down at him or laugh at him for even trying. By the end, they were talking like old friends.
“Okay, but we seriously got to fix your height issue!”
“I’m still growing!” Kibou squeaked.
Rina snorts, “Well thanks for telling me you're young.”
“W-well, either way it’s not like I could just shoot up a few more inches.”
“I know, but height is one of the most identifiable features of a person, you know? We need to separate your two identities as much as possible. Oh, also your eyes.”
“My eyes?" His eyebrows furrowed. "They’re just green?”
“Nonetheless, an easy way to connect the dots.”
“They’re green .”
Rina rolled her eyes, “A unique green. The moment I meet your alter ego, I’ll prove it to you.”
“Fine, until then, the green eyes will stay, but what can we do about my height?”
The woman held an incredulous look, “Have you ever heard of heels?”
Suddenly Izuku doesn’t like the direction of this conversation.
Rina grinned. “Relax, no stilettos. Maybe platform combat boots and lift inserts. We just need to figure out how much you can walk in okay.”
“Hey Kibou, before you go....why vigilantism?”
There are too many reasons. All too heavy to say out loud.
Was he tired of the bullying? The neglect? The discrimination?
His mom's pained smiles? His teachers' passive glances? His classmates' disgusted grimaces?
If he doesn't do something, he'll drown in all the things he can’t change.
“Because I can.” He tilted his head, curious. “Why did you want to work with me?”
“Because I can.”
“You just stole my own line.” Kibou smiled, despite the mask. “Thanks Rina.”
“Anytime.”