A/N: Katsuki's and Izuku's ages at the start of this fanfic were originally four years old and they were supposed to be in kindergarten. As of March 15th 2020, (as of chapter 16), I've decided to change their ages to eight and to portray them as elementary school students in the second grade. The reason they were so initially written so young was a result of my attempt to stay canon compliant, as in canon, they receive their quirks around the age of four. For me, it was imperative to showcase Katsuki and Izuku's relationship _before_ they received their quirks, as once they do, their friendship begins to gradually decline, with Katsuki slowly turning into Izuku's bully, and all. However, after much consideration, I've realized that my attempt to stay true to canon by showcasing their relationship _before_ they receive their quirks resulted in having four-year olds have unrealistic dialogues and situations. So I've decided that it's best to diverge from canon a bit. Other than that, the fic is virtually unchanged from how it originally was. So- to recap. The beginning of this fic takes place pre-canon, Katsuki and Izuku are eight, and the main difference between this fic and canon is that in this fic, it's normal for a child to receive their quirk around the age of nine. Meaning, that the two of them are both quirkless at the beginning of this fic. Other than that, I'm going to try my best to stay canon-compliant.

To say Katsuki is annoyed is an understatement.

He's livid.

What is his mother thinking? Why on earth would he want to spend a summer's afternoon getting acquainted with some people he doesn't know, when he could be out playing with his friends?

This whole day is going to suck.

"Katsuki, I want you to be on your best behavior today," His mother starts, gaze focused on the road with steering wheel in hand. How does his mother even do that, talk while driving at the same time? "If you give these people any trouble, you won't get off scot-free."

Katsuki whines. "But Mooooom—"

"No buts. We're going to meet up with them and you're going to like it."

Katsuki glares at his mother's head from the backseat and he crosses his arms. He's tempted for a moment to throw a tantrum but decides against it. He knows his mother isn't joking when she says she won't let him off easy if he's rude today; the last time he was rude to any of her acquaintances, he got grounded for two weeks. So he's not willing to push her buttons again.

Still, nothing annoys him more than having to act polite to people he wants nothing to do with.

"I know the thought of having to meet my new colleagues at work is far from what you'd find exciting," he mother continues, "But I can promise you it won't be all that bad. They have a kid your age who'll keep you company while we're there, and who's similar to you in a lot of ways."

Katsuki's head jerks upward at the latter statement, his curiosity piqued. "They do?"

Despite only being able to see the back of her head, Katsuki knows his mother's smiling.

"Yep, and I'm sure that by the end of the day, you'll have ended up befriending her."

Katsuki was almost excited at the prospect of making a new friend until that last word came out of his mother's mouth.

Wait... could she repeat that last thing she said? No, he had to have heard her wrong.

Unfortunately, what his mother says next confirms his ears hadn't failed him.

"Remember, since she's a girl, try to not to play roughly with her. You have of tendency of doing that with your friends at school, but girls are different. You have to treat them with a lot more-"

"She's a girl?!" He blurts out in indignation.

His mother frowns. "Is there something wrong with that?"

How can his mother even ask that? "Of course there is! Girls are lame!" He exclaims hotly, anger surging within him. Befriending a girl of all things is not what he signed up for. What's his mother even thinking?

How can his mother think he'll just sit down and take this information calmly?

His mother doesn't seem too happy with his reaction. "In case you've forgotten, I happen to be a girl."

That comment doesn't reassure him at all, but he refrains from telling her that.

"Mama, please," he complains, "Can't you just leave me at home? Just why the hell would I wanna be friends with one of them?"

"Watch your language, young man!" She growls, and he growls back. "I don't want another word out of you," she continues angrily, "You're going to be on your best behavior today, and if you so much as look at that poor girl funny, your punishment will be a lot worse than the last time I grounded you!"

An almost literal explosive rage bursts within him and it takes all of his self-control to bite his tongue and keep quiet. That doesn't stop him from shaking, though.

Great, this day is gonna be a complete bust. It's bad enough that he's going to have to play with a girl, but to make matters worse, he's going to have to play... nice.

It's the first time Katsuki's actually considering getting grounded as opposed to this. In many ways, perhaps it'd be a kinder fate.

Girls are dumb. It's a fact everybody knows. And while Katsuki himself has never taken the time to actually get to know one personally, his own input on what they're like doesn't matter, anyway. After all, who is he the question the opinions of his peers? They're the only ones in town who've acknowledged him for the genius that he is. He has unshaking faith in their opinion; after all, they have good taste. They're capable of knowing greatness when they see it. So he trusts they know what they're talking about when it comes to these things.

Besides, from what he himself has observed of them, there's no reason for him to think otherwise. Everyone treats them as though they're these fragile little creatures that require delicate care. Considering the amount of times one of them has broken down crying in class over nothing, Katsuki can't say that line of thinking isn't completely justified.

All in all, they're just too different in comparison to boys that Katsuki can't imagine he'd ever get along with one. They're interested in sissy things like playing with dolls and playing dress up.

Katsuki has never understood how anyone could find those activities fun. He'd much rather be outside, playing a sport or trading Hero cards with his friends.

The amount of times he's returned home covered in dirt and sweat due to having partaken in unruly activities momentarily makes him smile. The smile disappears as they roll into the parking lot, as he remembers that today, unruly activities are probably the last thing he'll be doing.

There's no reason to believe this girl will be different from any other he's seen so far, and the thought that he'll have to waste an entire day being gentle with one makes him bristle.

He snorts.

This day is going to suck. Hard.

A/N: Katsuki knows curse words even though he's young, is because his parents (Mitsuki in particular) are guilty of cursing around him... so yeah. 10/10 parenting.