"M-Mom," Izuku said. Inko set down the dish she finished drying in the cupboard before turning her attention to her beloved son, who stood in the doorway. Hands fiddled with the hem of a black uniform jacket as his eyes looked everywhere but at his mother. Inko walked over to Izuku and cupped his cheeks, a gentle smile rested on her face.

"Why don't you take a seat while I make some tea," Inko said softly. Izuku smiled as he sat; his mother began to hum the song she sang when he could not sleep.

Sleepyhead, close your eyes, for I'm right beside you.

Heroes are near, so sleep without fear.

Lullaby, and goodnight, They'll protect you from harm.

Lullaby, and sleep tight, my darling,

On All Might sheets, and a head full of dreams.

Sleepyhead, close your eyes, I'm right beside you.

Go to sleep, little one, think of puppies and kittens.

Go to sleep, little one, think of butterflies in spring.

Go to sleep, little one, think of bright sunny mornings.

Hush, darling one, sleep through the night,

Sleep through the night,

Sleep through the night.

Izuku smiled at the memories it brought up, even if it had just been a tweaked version of a preexisting lullaby he was still glad she thought of him like she always had. The kettle whistled for a few seconds before water slowly covered teabags. Inko placed a steaming cup in front of Izuku before grabbing hers and sitting across from her son.

Inko watched as Izuku traced the rim of his cup with a thumb, staring into the hot liquid, maybe hoping for answers or solace. The clock in the living room could be heard faintly as neither said a word, perhaps with the hopes the other would pick up a conversation.

"... Mom?" Izuku said quietly, "Do you think I can be a Hero, like All Might?" Eyes widened in surprise and shock. Inko felt numb briefly before a thin smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Of course, but Izuku, dear..." Inko said, "Where is this coming from?" Izuku placed the cup to his lips; the warm liquid warmed the teen's insides like the sun. He hummed as he put the cup gently onto the table. The air was still a moment as thoughts were collected and being waited to be heard.

"That villain attack made me think," Izuku explained, "Without my Quirk, I felt useless... as if I had been Quirkless. I guess I felt like some helpless child, who needed to be protected instead of the other way around." The tea in both cups rippled as tears had fallen in. A chair scraped the floor as it was pushed backwards suddenly.

Izuku started to stand from his chair but was stopped halfway as his mother hugged him tightly. He grabbed the fabric of her pink sweater after wrapping his arms around her. Sobbing caught in Inko's throat, making it hard to speak; somehow, she eventually managed to get a single sentence out.

"I'll support you in any way, starting with a gym membership." Izuku pushed his mother away, much to her shock. Tears trickled down his cheeks before they fell from his chin, but a smile tugged the corners of his lips. Izuku's journey to becoming a great Hero, one that could save anybody, even if it was himself. That evening was the start of Izuku's journey to becoming a great Hero that could save anybody, even himself.

Izuku pulled on his shoelaces once more before he stood. It had been a few days since the sludge villain attacked him. In those days, the green-haired teen created a training plan, which consisted of both Quirk and physical training. A frown briefly showed up on Izuku's face before he shook it away.

'I can't let what happened with that villain happen again,' Izuku thought. It was not his fault, and he knew that. There was, however, a voice inside him that wanted nothing more than to capture a villain to prove he could do it.

"Are you leaving now, Izuku?" Inko asked. Izuku jolted, he had not heard his mother approach; he had to quit his habit of spacing out. While he was at it, maybe he would tone down his muttering.

Inko smiled as she watched her son mutter to himself; it was endearing to watch. Ever since she told Izuku to start writing in notebooks about Heroes and his Quirk, he seemed to find such joy in trying to better himself and others.

"See you later, mom!" Izuku called as he ran out the door. Inko smiled at the door before she entered the bathroom once again, it was not going to clean itself. Without hesitation, she got to work.

Izuku grinned as he saw the trash-filled Dagobah Beach, where he would hone his Quirk for the U.A. Entrance Exam; it would be hosted in ten months. As he reached the stairs to head down to the beach, Izuku noticed two figures on the litter-filled sand below. Hesitation raced in Izuku's mind, but something pulled him down the stairs one by one; before he knew it, he stood on the sand.

"All Might!" Izuku stuttered in surprise. He never expected to so the man after the first time, hell he probably used all of his luck up by now.

"Ah, if it isn't... you!" All Might said, his voice as loud as it was a few days ago. Izuku stood silently as his eye blinked rapidly; he realized what he forgot to do the last time they met, out of pure excitement and glee.

"I'm Izuku Midoriya! Nice to meet you!" Izuku shouted before he had begun rapidly bowing.