Mirio's and Izu's entire relationship. Mirio is the very first person in years that ever shows love and kindness to Izu, becoming an older brother towards the young boy.
Just any scene with the heroes and Izu is greatly this. Unlike the villains who only see him as either a pet or a lab rat, the heroes genuinely love Izu and treat him with a lot of kindness and compassion.
The nickname that Izu was given. In the beginning, the villains called him that as a name for a pet. However, after the heroes rescued the poor boy, it eventually becomes a name with a lot of love and affection to it.
All Might's and Sir Nighteye's relationship in this story. In canon, the two had a fallen out thanks to Nighteye's vision of the future where All Might will die and they haven't gotten along since. They only manage to reconcile mere minutes before Sir's death. Here, however, this version of them manage to repair their broken friendship before the story.
Tamaki Amajiki and Nejire Hadou are among the few individuals who know about All Might's true form, One For All, and their friend, Mirio, being chosen to become All Might's future successor one day. Showing that Mirio trust very much important secrets with his two closes friends.
The relationship between Izu and Bakugo here. Unlike the canon series, they never develop a bully/victim one. Instead, Bakugo ends up being a Big Brother Mentor to Izu by teaching him how to fight! And it's not forgotten, it was Bakugo that told Izu that his Quirk Analyzing is not something he would call useless.
Izu still loves and looks up to All Might like he does in canon. It's wonderful to see that no matter what, Izu will always admire the Symbol of Peace, even after years of abuse from the villains. Makes it even better that Izu had always admired All Might even before he was kidnapped and sold off to the villains. Showing that Izu had managed to keep his love for the Number 1 Hero for years in his captive.
There's also Eri in this version. Unlike in canon, she never suffers any kind of trauma and is just a happy girl going to school to be a Pro Hero someday. It's very implied that she has a good relationship with her parents in this version, especially her relationship with her mother is better here than in the actual series. It's even implied that Eri and Overhaul aren't even related in this. Meaning Eri is free from his mental abuse as well.
In A Smile Is Worth A Million Words
In Chapter 1, Mirio meeting Izu for the first time. The very first thing that Mirio does is offer a kind and gentle smile to the scared child while telling him he won't hurt him and he's here to help.
The first time we read where Mirio uses One For All for the first time is when he uses it to free Izu from his bindings.
Recognizing that Izu is an abused child, Mirio isn't going to shy away from it unlike in canon and how he didn't save Eri the first time he met her. This version of him has him be more an actual professional Pro Hero!
Izu slowly but surely reaching out his hand to the hero student who gladly took it in his with a shining glimmer of hope in Izu's eyes... Granted, the moment was ruined by the arrival of Tomura Shigaraki and Overhaul, but it was still bittersweet to have the poor boy feeling so hopeful with the possibility of leaving his abusers.
Mirio trying his hardest to save Izu from both Shigaraki and Overhaul despite the boy's protest of not to in fear of the two men could kill him for wanting to help him.
After hearing Overhaul telling Izu how the heroes won't care for a Quirkless child like him, and will only use him to feed their egos and make them look good while also telling the boy that he's nothing but a burden and a waste of life, Mirio understandably becomes angry at Overhaul for telling such horrible and disgusting things to an innocent child.
Izu breaking down in tears after Mirio tells him that he doesn't care if Izu is Quirkless because the older boy will save him regardless. Hearing that, it's the most compassionate thing anyone has ever said to Izu since his time with the villains.
Mirio even tells Izu that's what the heroes do. They help people, and the former is going to help the latter... Because of Mirio's Izu's hero! Leaving the boy awestruck and speechless.
When Mirio tells Izu that he's going to use his Quirk for a moment, Izu quickly nods. What makes it even better is that Izu just met Mirio only a few minutes, but the child already has deep trust towards the future Pro Hero as the latter is the first-ever person that ever treated him with any human kindness in his entire life!
Just when Shigaraki and Overhaul could even launch their attacks on Mirio, All Might and Sir Nighteye arrive in time to help him and Izu.
At the end of the chapter, Mirio and the co had not only managed to save the kidnapped heroes from the League of Villains and the Shie Hassaikai but also managed to save an innocent child from danger.
In Chapter 2, Mirio has great concern for Izu when the doctors place him in quarantine. Not wanting the boy to be treated like a prisoner again, but still knows Izu is in much better hands of the doctors and nurses who are simply helping the younger boy as best as they can.
The first thing for heroes to do with Izu is to find his family. It's very sweet that they're trying to bring a possibly kidnapped child back to his family.
Mirio swearing to himself he won't turn his back on Izu and abandon him. Making the ultimate decision of being there for Izu... And be the kind of hero that the little boy can look up to!
Sir telling Mirio not to worry and that Izu being safe is all that matters, which it was because the latter was able to find the boy. And because of this, the heroes had managed to rescue a child from a dangerous environment while also telling his student that he's a hero.
A nurse came in to tell Mirio to quickly follow her since it's concern Izu. Mirio waste no time, and quickly follow the nurse to see if Izu's alright while asking if the boy's okay. The nurse explains that Izu woke up a few minutes ago and is crying for Lemillion (Mirio's hero name). It shows how quickly attach Izu has become to the hero student in the short time they spend together.
It's also nice on the nurses' part to get Mirio for Izu, showing that they care for the well-being of their patients who are in their care.
Nezu letting Izu lives at the U.A. High campus until they find his family while also letting Mirio becomes his current caregiver once he sees the boy is very attached to the older boy.
It's also the possibility of Nezu being empathetic towards Izu due to his own abusive background being a lab rat to humans.
Just before Izu could become distressed and frantic after waking up in his hospital, Mirio shows up with a tray of food in hand while asking how the former is doing.
After hearing how both Shigaraki and Overhaul would punish Izu for making any noises, Mirio tells the boy that he won't go back to them ever again, and that he won't let the two leaders of the villains' groups take Izu away.
When Izu asks where he's going to live now, Mirio happily tells him that the former is going to live with him and his classmates at school. To which Izu innocently asks the older boy if he does live at school with a childlike curiosity.
Mirio tucking Izu in bed and turning on the TV so the latter could some cartoons is very adorable to read. Makes it even better than this probably the first time Izu could ever watch cartoons due to Shigaraki's and Overhaul's controlling nature towards him.
After telling Izu that they're going to buy some new toys, clothes, books, etc., Mirio sees a glimmer of excitement and hope little Izu's eyes; with a tiny sliver of a smile on the little boy's face that attempted to spear across his adorable face despite Izu is unable to yet. Which Mirio happily sees and knows that all that matters for now. No matter how tiny the smile was.
Soon after, Mirio calls his father on the phone and tells him he's going to stop by their house for a bit. A reminder of just how much they're close in this story as much as they're in canon.
In Chapter 3, Mirio spends the day with his father and tells him about Izu and that he became in charge of the little boy. Mirio's father is nothing but supportive of him and understands why Mirio wants to want to help and protect Izu. Mirio even tells that his father has already taken a liking to Izu despite not meeting the boy yet. Mirio's father even asks him if Izu has any clothes to wear when the boy leaves the hospital, to which Mirio answers no. The two go to the store to buy clothes for Izu, something not fancy but comfortable for the boy to wear.
Mirio greets Izu in the hospital on the latter's day.
In return, Izu adorably greets his hero with his mouth full of eggs while Mirio gently scolds him for talking for doing so while affectionately ruffling his hair.
Although this counts as a Tear Jerker when poor Izu freaks out when he hears the word "shots" from his nurse, it still counts as a heartwarming moment since Mirio tells him that everything's going to be okay. The older boy comforting him by playing peek-a-boo. It manages to make Izu's cry die down a little.
Izu's doctor gently tells him that while the shots might string a bit, it won't hurt him. After it was over, both Mirio and the doctor tells Izu was very brave for taking his shots.
Izu properly meeting both All Might and Sir Nighteye after helping to recuse him is very sweet.
Unlike in canon were the start of their relationship was rocky, Sir Nighteye is very kind and gentle towards Izu.
In Chapter 4, Izu's first trip to the mall along with Mirio, All Might, and Sir Nighteye.
Mirio ensues Izu that everything's going to be safe since the latter is safe while having the former, All Might, and Sir Nighteye as his bodyguards. This earns Mirio a few soft giggles from Izu.
Nezu gives a credit card to All Might and allows Mirio to use it on Izu's needs. Of course, Mirio believes that such a gift is too generous of the school's principal to do so, and tells his mentor that he could pay for everything on his own. However, Nezu insisted on it since he knows Mirio's just going to use his dorm's funds and his student allowance to pay for Izu's needs. All Might even tell his young successor that this is a way of Nezu and the school giving the boy a hand to help to take of Izu.
Since Izu never picks his clothes before, he asks Mirio if it's okay for him to do so. Mirio, understandably, tells him it's okay while tells Izu to pick anything he likes. Even offering to the boy in choosing which clothes he'll like to wear.
Buying new clothes Izu is very sweet but's the fact that many of them are All Might theme ones got his interest. Showing that Izu will always be a big fan of All Might.
Even better! Mirio ends up buying a pair of red sneakers that caught Izu's eye. The same ones from the canon series! Reminding us that Izu's character is nothing with them.
While watching Izu for Mirio, Sir asks the boy if he likes All Might (due to the boy having an All Might figure), to which Izu replies with a nod. which makes the Pro Hero smile. He even tells Izu to buy more All Might figures so he won't be lonely. Nighteye decides to remind himself to show Izu his All Might collection. Again, considering their relationship in canon, it's nice to see Sir Nighteye being so kind and caring towards Izu here than he was in the actual series.
Sir and Toshinori taking the bags back to the car after the shopping while Mirio takes Izu to ice cream as promised.
Toshinori text Mirio to let the latter know that Nezu and the other teachers had managed to set up Izu's room.
Upon entering U.A., Izu is greeted by some of the teachers there, including Eraser Head of Class 1-A. Although Izu was scared by meeting new people, Mirio comforts him on the head to let the boy know that everyone here is a Pro Hero.
While bidding Mirio and Izu a faraway, some of the teachers coo how cute Izu is.
Izu seeing his new room. It's very adorable and a little bittersweet since Izu never got to enjoy his old one with his time with Shigaraki and Overhaul.
Nejire meeting Izu and begins to talk to him. Granted, she ends up accidentally scaring him, but she immediately apologizes for doing so.
Also, when Nejire reveals that Izu's and Mirio's rooms right next to each other, it shows that Mirio will be right next to the boy whenever he needs him.
While during their bath, Mirio will never forgive any of the villains who lay a hand on Izu.
Just before Izu could go to sleep, Mirio puts on an All Might nightlight for him so he won't sleep in the dark while saying sweet dreams towards the boy.
