The night air bit against Accelerator's skin, not that he cared. Streetlights buzzed overhead, flickering like dying stars. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked, not because he had anywhere to go, but because standing still felt worse. People gave him wide berths. He didn't blame them. "Beach, huh…" he muttered. "Guess I've got nothing better to do."
…
Izuku woke up early. The clock glared a rude 5:12 AM at him, but his brain refused to let him sleep. He kept thinking about the way Accelerator had said "Fine" at the door last night. Like it was nothing. Like it didn't mean anything. But it did for Izuku, To Izuku, it meant his first real friend since Katsuki. But he didn't have time to think about that now, this was his first training day training with All Might.
The sky was still dark when Accelerator reached Dagobah Beach. He was hoping to clear his mind on the beach before he had to start delivering boxes. Waves lapped lazily at the shore, dragging plastic bottles and rusted cans back and forth like the sea itself was indecisive. He stepped onto the sand, his boots crunching through the filth. It was quiet. Too quiet. Even the wind held its breath. But then… Accelerator stopped walking. There were footprints.
Fresh ones. Not Midoriya's—they were larger, deeper. Adult-sized. Whoever they belonged to had been standing in one place, right near the waterline, facing the ocean. His eyes narrowed. "Tch… great." He didn't like unknowns.
Accelerator followed the tracks forward, already calculating angles and potential threat levels. Then he saw the silhouette. Tall, lanky. Almost skeletal. A man in a hoodie that fluttered slightly in the breeze, standing perfectly still as if he were carved from stone. Accelerator couldn't see his face, just a hunched outline watching the waves. He had an idea on who this was but he decided to keep it to himself.
Accelerator didn't approach the stranger—just kept his distance, watching until the ocean breeze started to sting his skin. Then, behind him— Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Soft footsteps on sand. Accelerator turned. "…You're up early," he said flatly. Izuku nearly dropped his backpack. "Wha—! A-Accelerator?! You're already here?!" he sputtered, scrambling to zip his bag back up and sling it over his shoulder like he hadn't just been speed-walking down the boardwalk. "I was hoping I'd meet you after school, not this early," Midoriya said in an awkward tone.
Accelerator raised an eyebrow. "After school? You think I've got time to babysit you twice a day?" Midoriya gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "N-no, I just meant—uh, I didn't expect you here this early." Before Accelerator could answer, a familiar, gravelly voice called out from behind Izuku: "Young Midoriya! I didn't think you'd bring a friend." Izuku flinched like someone had caught him sneaking out of class. "A-All Might!" he turned, eyes wide. "You're early too!"
But then Midoriya froze. His mouth opened slightly. His eyes flicked past Accelerator, then widened in slow, creeping horror. Accelerator noticed immediately. His gaze sharpened, following Midoriya's line of sight—and that's when he saw the same gaunt figure from before, now walking toward them with a casual stride that didn't match the storm in Midoriya's expression. Accelerator didn't hesitate. His voice was quiet, but direct.
"All Might?" Midoriya stiffened. His head snapped toward Accelerator, panic blooming across his face. "I-I—no! I mean—w-wait—how did you—?!" The skeletal man stopped a few feet away. His expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "…Sharp one, aren't you?" he rasped. Accelerator folded his arms. "Thought I recognized the voice earlier. Had to be sure." He gave Midoriya a sidelong glance. "And your face just confirmed it."
Midoriya looked like he was about to pass out. "I—I wasn't supposed to say anything! Please don't tell anyone—if this gets out—!""I'm not interested in blowing up your idol's big secret," Accelerator said coolly. "Not my business." He looked All Might up and down. "But I'm guessing you've got your reasons for keeping that form hidden." All Might studied him for a long moment before giving a slow nod. "…I do."
Midoriya was off in the distance, dragging a refrigerator down the sand with all the grace of a dying animal. He'd been at it for nearly twenty minutes, wheezing like a rusted vacuum cleaner. Accelerator watched him with vague disinterest, arms folded. All Might—still in his gaunt form—stood nearby, silent for a time, until finally breaking the quiet.
"If you don't mind me asking… What exactly is your Quirk?" All might said. "Tch. I can control anything with magnitude or direction." All Might leaned forward a little, curious. "Are you aiming to be a hero at U.A.?" Accelerator smirked, voice dripping with disdain. "U.A.? Please. I think I'll pass on all the hero crap."
Another moment passed before All Might said.
"I'm assuming you don't have faith in modern heroes, do you?" All Might asked quietly. Accelerator's eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean the contractors." "Contractors?" All Might repeated, puzzled. "Public Safety Contractors," Accelerator said flatly. "They're the contractors who get paid to ensure public safety."
All Might frowned. "Then why do you call them contractors instead of heroes?" Accelerator frowned bitterly. "Because that's all they are—contractors. Paid hands to enforce and control. I wouldn't be surprised if the government was hiding some seriously shady shit under the rug." He paused, eyes darkening. "Heroes? They're just a show. Nothing more than puppets dressed up for the public."
As Midoriya hauled his final bag of trash onto the pile, he let out a small sigh of relief. His arms ached, but there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. Brushing the dirt from his hands, he walked over to where All Might and Accelerator stood.
"All done!" Midoriya said, trying to catch his breath. "Uh, Accelerator, do you… maybe want to grab breakfast with me and Mom? As a thank you?"
Accelerator shook his head lightly. "Tempting, but I've got work to deal with." He turned slightly, as if already halfway out of the conversation.
Midoriya hesitated for a moment before blurting, "W-wait! Can I at least get your number? You know… in case I need to ask you something."
Accelerator gave him a dry look but pulled out his phone anyway. "Fine."
Midoriya's face lit up as they exchanged numbers. "Thanks!"