Deku was a worker for The league orphanage, as they were actually a secret organization that grew children up to be perfect for sale. Following the rules was always supposed to be done, if not there would be extreme consequences as the rules kept things secret, there were rules for staff and more for children. Children were given numbers on their wristbands to keep track of their locations, as everything must be as normal as possible. You were a child there, as you were trying to escape.