I'm still adjusting to not being able to respond to everyone, which is a bummer, but I just wanted to thank you all so much for the support!
The class is somber for the rest of the day, and Aizawa is most definitely not pleased. As he dismisses them he sends a warning to the other teachers and principal Nezu. He has a feeling his problem children are acting up, and the class's still dealing with everything, it's still not a good reason for sloppy work. He sighs, knowing he'll inevitably end up giving some lecture later and he'll push them harder in hero training.
After the class meeting, Midoriya feels much lighter despite the worry still pressing on him. At least now he has his classmates to share the load with.
His phone buzzes in his back pocket, he pulls it out and slinks to the side of the hallway to avoid tuning into anyone. It's a message from Toshinori confirming their weekly lunch together.
It's become a sort of ritual between the two, a break from the fast pace of UA as both a teacher and a student. It helps that Toshinori has continued to be on Midoriya's mother's good side now that he's managed to no longer be the one leading her son into danger. He's become a close family friend over the past year. Midoriya sends a quick thumbs-up before hurrying to his next class.
When lunch rolls around, he waves Ochako and Iida off as they head to the cafeteria and he heads to the lounge. Upon reaching the door, he knocks respectfully before pulling the door open once his mentor calls out.
Once inside, he settles across the low table and Toshinori sets a lunch in front of each of them. Since his retirement the pro has taken up a series of hobbies to steady his hands and fill his time, cooking has become one of his favorites and he often shares recipes with Midoriya's mother. While they unpack their lunches Midoriya fills him in on the goings-on of his life.
After that topic dies down, Toshinori hands still, and he clears his throat before saying, "We've been unable to get Endeavor to respond to us, so the principal has issued a warning. Unless we get a proper explanation and proof, the police will be called and a missing person report filed." a look of determination flashes across Toshinori's face "We teachers, Aizawa especially, have been pushing for hero reforms for some time and making some progress, so no matter what he will face repercussions."
"Good" responds Midoriya, still somewhat dejected at the lack of progress that comes standard fare with bureaucracy.
"I know it's frustrating and I know you, you're blaming yourself, and you've probably already meddled," says Toshinori putting on his lecturing voice. Midoriya ducks his head, not ashamed of his actions but a touch embarrassed that his mentor knows him so well. "I thought so my boy" Toshinori chuckles, I don't need to know how you know it, but what d'you find?"
Knowing his teacher wouldn't lie to him, Midoriya feels comfortable explaining what he Ochako and Sero found at the Todoroki household.
"That is very worrisome," glowers Toshinori face tightening and eyebrows pinching darkly "Thank you young Midoriya, this will help young Todoroki," he takes a brief pause before continuing "Actually I have something else you could do for us if you want."
Midoriya's spine straightens faster than Iida's 20-meter dash and he exclaims, "Of course!" while nodding frantically.
"Stay calm, please. Don't tip the table"
"Right, yes sir"
Sighing, Toshinori gives Midoriya a knowing look before explaining, "Could you go talk to young Todoroki's mother?"
Hundreds of thoughts fly through Midoriya's head. This isn't how he wants to meet the woman Todoroki so obviously adores. But she might know something, what would she know?
"Slow down my boy," his teacher's calming words bring him out of his head and he realizes he must have been mumbling. "We think it would be better for a friend to talk to her, not a pro hero, so when you have time please stop in," Midoriya nods.
Toshinori returns to his food and gives a chuckle as Midoriya thanks him for the food and digs in. His eyes light up as he grills his teacher about ingredients and recipes to pass on to his mother.
Standing outside the hospital, Midoriya is silently regretting every choice he made this morning. From wearing clothes that don't make Iida sigh and Bakugou sneer. Are they too formal, not formal enough? To the flowers in his hands, they're rindous, Todoroki had mentioned they're his mother's favorite once. Is this overstepping?
He really just wants to make the best impression he can. Taking a shaky breath, he rolls his shoulders and decides he's never had a good sense of self-preservation anyway, so he might as well throw himself in. Walking in, he realizes that he might not even be able to get past the front desk.
Thankfully, he manages not to squeak as a nurse speaks up next to him, "Hello sir, who are you here to see?"
Spinning quickly to face the desk, Midoriya stutters out "I'm here to see Rei Todoroki sir" the nurse looks down and flips through various pairs under the counter. After a nervous moment, he looks up and smiles
"Looks like you're on the list," he points down a hallway over his shoulder "Second floor, room seven"
Midoriya thanks the nurse before scampering down the hall to the stairs. As he climbs the short flight of stairs, he decides it's best not to let himself be hopeful about what it means to be on the visitor list.
Upon reaching the door, he stops and adjusts the flowers in his hands twice, making sure none got crushed, before knocking hesitantly.
A soft voice calls out, "Come in." As he slides the door open Rei Todoroki is sitting on her bed a book open in her hands. When she looks up, eyes shifting as confusion graces her face.
"Oh, uh, I brought you these," he says holding the flowers out to her "Shoto said they're your favorite, I'm a friend for school. My name's Izuku Midoriya" he grimaces inwardly over his use of Todoroki's first name.
Midoriya almost cries when Rei smiles gently and takes the flowers from him, silently accepting him. She puts down her book calmly, slipping a bookmark in place before getting up to place the flowers in a cup on her desk and arranging them nicely. On her way back to the bed, she swings the desk chair out from the desk to face the bed.
"Why don't you sit down?" she smiles, resting back on the bed. When he settles into the chair she says, "My son tells me about you often," Midoriya can feel his face flush red as she chuckles at him "It's nice to know he's made friends at UA"
Midoriya recognizes the look on her face, it's the same look his mother got when he read her letters Eri and Kota wrote to him, or when he brought friends home for the first time. He can't help but get caught up in her warmth as they trade stories.
Glancing at the clock, Midoriya realizes almost an hour has passed. It's been a good hour, they'd told stories, happy ones, that made both of them smile and laugh, classroom shenanigans and endearing accidents in this very room.
Hating to break the atmosphere that had settled over the room, Midoriya sighs "I'm actually a bit worried about Shoto" concern flashes over her face.
"What do you mean?"
"We, um, haven't seen him in a few days, do you know where he could be?"
"Oh. No, I'm sorry dear"
"That's okay ma'am we're all working on it, we'll find him," he reassures.
"I think you will, you're a smart one. Shoto wouldn't leave you on purpose, he likes you," Midoriya's voice abandons him as his chest flutters. "Oh!" Rei grabs his hand "A few weeks ago Shoto had me send a package to his brother. I don't know what it was, but he said it was important," she looks up at him "Do you think he could have gone there?"
"Definitely!" gasps Midoriya "Do you. Could you give me the address?"
"Yes, I'll need some paper"
It takes a moment to find the paper, but soon Midoriya has the address of one Natsuo Todoroki written in Rei's print like handwriting. "There you go dear, go find my boy" before heading to the door Midoriya thanks her profusely.
As he closes it Rei calls out kindly, but with a grin that could only be described as sly. He hasn't seen it on her, but he does recognize it from the few times Shoto's felt comfortable enough to tell a joke. "It was wonderful to meet you, dear. Next time tell Shoto to come with, to properly introduce his boyfriend." the door slides shut in front of him. Midoriya's face burns but he doesn't go back to correct her, he just stares for a beat before turning and wandering down the hall.
I just think Rei's neat, it's not quite the meet the parents Midoriya wanted though.