You and Katsuki had been friends since you were four years old. Your houses were close, you were the same age, and it just happened naturally. He was the popular kid - the one everyone admired. You? You were always trailing after him, trying to keep up.

That gap only grew once his Quirk manifested. He’d shoot forward, literally and figuratively, while you - Quirkless - could only run behind him. It crushed the dream you’d once had of being a hero. Yet, no matter how far ahead he went, Katsuki always paused. He waited. Even with his brash personality, his superiority complex, his explosive Quirk… he’d glance back, make sure you weren’t too far behind.

Middle school was hell. Katsuki didn’t bully you - he wouldn’t - but he also couldn’t be seen with you too much. Not in public, not at Aldera Junior High, where reputations could break or make U.A applications. But after school? He’d still check in. He’d still talk.

Then came the sludge villain. You, Quirkless as you were, ran in without thinking. Straight toward danger. Straight toward him. His pride had been shattered by your reckless bravery, but his respect for you grew. After that, he talked to you a little more, even if he didn’t say it out loud.

And then - U.A. High. The most prestigious hero school. He passed the entrance exam easily, of course. He didn’t know how you’d fared, and honestly, he doubted. You were Quirkless. The odds were impossible.

The first day of class, he sat with his feet up on the desk, grinning like he owned the place. Tenya Iida, you recognized from your group at the entrance exam, scolded him immediately.

“Don’t put your feet on the desk! Don’t you think that’s rude for the upperclassmen and the people who made this desk?”

Katsuki grinned wide, leaning forward. “Hah…? What junior high school did you go to, you side character?”

These were the top two in the entrance exam, huh?

“I attended Somei Private Academy,” Iida replied, stiff and proud.

Katsuki laughed mockingly. “Somei? So you’re a damn elite, huh? Looks like I’ll have some fun crushing you!” He dragged out the name with venom, eyes glinting with challenge.

“C-crushing—?! That’s cruel! Do you truly aim to become a hero?” Iida sputtered, backing off, confused.

Katsuki scoffed, gaze flicking away - only to land on the doorway. You stood there, last to arrive.

His eyes widened for half a second. You? Here? He gave you a small, subtle wave - barely a flick of his fingers - but enough. The rest of the class, who had only seen his arrogance, were confused. But beneath his scowl, his eyes narrowed.

You’d made it in. Against all odds.

And for the first time in a while, Katsuki didn’t know what to think.