Izuku's breath seemed to catch in his throat. His mother's eyes blazed with determination. Does she really mean it?

"No? I...I'm afraid I don't quite understand." Nezu's smile grew slightly icier. "This is an opportunity that many his age would kill for."

"I would!" Izuku struggled to hold his tears back. I can't cry in front of All Might! Especially after he survived an ordeal like that. He's amazing! The tears came anyway, clogging his throat. "Please, Mom, I have too-"

"No, Izuku." Her eyes stayed focused on Nezu. "Who exactly are you in the CCG's chain of command?"

He blinked slowly. Behind him, the other stranger in a trench coat shifted awkwardly. "I'm the current head of our training program. I still answer to the Public Safety Commission, in charge of the entire CCG, but generally I make all decisions when it comes to training new heroes."

Inko nodded slowly. "Are you in charge of deciding whether or not someone gets into your school?"

"Yes…" Izuku could tell he was thinking hard. "Students all over Japan sign up for our test, but I decide whether or not they get to take it. They need to have dedication and mental fortitude to even test."

Inko glanced at Izuku. He blinked anxiously at her. "I filled out that form a few months ago. I still haven't gotten it back…"

"Oh, well-" Nezu's composure seemed to waver for just a moment. "Well, now I'm here to tell you you've been accepted!"

"The answer is still no." Inko shot him a look and protectively put her arm around Izuku's shoulders. "Say all you want about dedication and 'mental fortitude,' but he's still a kid. A kid who's just been through a very traumatic experience involving ghouls! So I will absolutely not be putting him in a program that asks him to fight these monsters!" Her eyes flicked to All Might. "Maybe my answer would be different if this situation was different. But you can't be everywhere, I suppose." Her voice grew sharp with bitterness.

Nezu was apparently speechless. He dropped his smile and turned to All Might. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"

The giant of a man shifted nervously. His painted smile was cast into shadow, and his one visible eye seemed disappointed. Izuku looked up at him pleadingly. I'm not mad at you. It's not your fault I got confused. And it's not your fault that you weren't there. Just change her mind, please!

But it is maybe your fault that Hedero got away...what happened there?

"It's as Mr. Utagawashi said." The man boomed, suddenly regaining his larger than life confidence. Instantly Izuku straightened up, smiling. This has to convince her! "Your son showed incredible bravery today! And in truth, there are only so many people that have that kind of bravery. The bravery that is not merely foolishness, but the ability to stand up for others. With so few people like that in this world, we must try to bring all of them together for the most important battle mankind has ever fought!" He stopped for a moment to pant heavily. "Sorry, I'm a bit tired. AHEM." He cleared his throat loudly. "Basically, your son is a model hero. He has the strength to make sure what happened to him never happens to anyone else! So…" He extended his hand. "We need Izuku Midoriya. The world needs him."

The world needs me…Izuku stared desperately at Inko, sniffling. The world needs me…

"Maybe…Maybe not…" Inko's voice shook with emotion, then grew hard. "But it doesn't matter. What matters is what Izuku needs. And it's not this." She sniffed and rubbed at her eyes. "What he needs is peace and quiet and safety while he heals, both mentally and physically. And heaven knows he won't get that chasing ghouls everywhere. So my final answer is no."

She turned to face Izuku, a single tear sliding down her face. "I know how much this means to you Izuku. But I really don't think this is right. It's not what's right for you. Or for me." He felt his stomach drop. "I'm sorry Mr. All Might. But it's time for you and your friends to leave.

"No…" Izuku tried to beg, but the words wouldn't come. All Might hesitated for a moment, then turned away. Nezu and the other man stepped out of his way, then started after him. My big chance...just walking away from me...It was enough to make him choke on his own tears. He curled his legs in and buried his face in his knees.

And just like that, All Might was gone.

The doctor coughed awkwardly. "Right. I'll go get that water now." She hurried out, her cane thumping rhythmically against the ground.

Izuku whipped around to stare at his mother, opening his mouth to protest. He fell silent though as she shook her head. "Don't fight me on this one Izuku. Please." Her voice cracked, giving way to another flood of tears

Sorry for being gone for a while, have an extremely short chapter