I remember one of the most important days in my life. My husband would end up being so busy to the point he was never around, but he was there in that moment to hold my hand the entire time. After what seemed like ages, I was able to hold my baby boy in my arms. Izuku Midoriya, the most important person in my life.

Unfortunately, due to his business getting in the way, and the stress that came from all of it, my husband and I separated, leaving me to raise our child on her own. However, despite the trials of being a single mother, I was very happy to watch over this bright, beautiful boy so playful and happy.

The first time Izuku saw footage of the hero All Might, he was obsessed. He would watch that footage for hours on end. He constantly asked for All Might related merchandise when we could afford it. I played games with him where he was All Might and I needed rescuing. He would write in notebooks about All Might, how he would work alongside him one day as a sidekick after his quirk came in.

That day never came. I cried as I held him, heartbroken that my little boy was born with a defect that effectively crushed his dreams where they stood. Looking back now, I wish I had been more supportive in those years. He needed all the support he could get. All those times my son played with me and pretended to save me, and I couldn't even give him the support he needed in those years where all his friends cast him aside and treated him like he was nothing. Where his teachers did the same. Where his best friend from childhood bullied him. I supported him, as any mother should, but I could have done more. I was so scared and sad for him that I don't believe I considered his feelings enough. I still feel shame for that to this day.

I remember being overjoyed for him when he got his quirk. I was certainly surprised, as it took years for him to get it and he had the pinky toe joint. When he had started throwing himself into his studies and volunteer work, I was proud, if not concerned. His diet changed, as did his physique. Nevertheless, I was happy for my son when his ability manifested, and even happier when he got his acceptance letter to UA, though worried as time went on and trouble found him.

I was equally pleased, if not a little shocked and emotional, when a rather colorful young lady showed up at our door, dressed in a UA uniform, asking to see my son. She was like the polar opposite of Izuku in several ways. She was visually distinctive, highly social and energetic, athletic, and a little bit mischievous. And yet, as I got to know this girl, I could see that she had just as much in common with my son as she had differences. She was kind, sweet, altruistic. They both had mops of curly hair and wonderful smiles, though my Izuku was less forthcoming with his after years of torment. He was certainly bashful around girls, though he seemed to have a few as friends.

And yet, over time, I saw him grow more confident, if not reckless at times. The two grew to compliment one another, like two halves of a friendship bracelet and the day they came to me and announced they were dating, I was happy, of course. But I was also hesitant, for the same reasons: My little boy was growing up.

After yet another incident with UA, I was so tempted to pull Izuku from his dream school, from his girlfriend. That hurt me. They clearly cared for one another, but I was eager to protect my son. Protect him from the world. Protect myself from the fear. And yet, it wasn't fair.

There were flaws in hero society, flaws with UA. And young love didn't always last, so maybe Izuku and Mina could make it work, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if it didn't. I told myself that. And yet, having watched these two grow closer and seen how they influenced each other for the better, I hesitated. I had essentially welcomed this pink girl with her extraterrestrial appearance into our family and realized cutting my son off from his friends, his girlfriend, and his hero would be unfair.

Izuku was willing to listen to me. He wanted me to feel better, and yet I was willing to rip him away from everything out of fear of losing him, with no regard for what he might lose. It's an understandable response as a parent, I suppose. But that didn't make it right. Izuku standing his ground, holding up a note from a child he rescued, and the text messages he received from Mina just shot my plans to shred, and I suppose I should be grateful for that now.

I was initially reluctant to let Izuku move away when I learned of the dorms. But with All Might's assurance, my son's promises to keep in touch, and the loyalty of this smiling, pink skinned girl who stole my boy's heart, I had decided to relent. In the end, I always knew he would have to leave the nest, much like my husband did. However, unlike him, my son would always return.

And he did, whether it be weekend visits with Mina, their birthdays, graduating from UA, or showing up in their hero costumes their first day on patrol together. Or the day my sweet, beautiful boy showed me the ring he had picked out for this girl who had entered his life with all the subtlety of a dog in a meat locker. Nevertheless, he always returned. And he was never alone. He had me, he had friend, and he had her, and I was oh so proud. I suppose I still am.

So, imagine how I felt, my dears, the day he and your mother arrived, holding the both of you with pride and adoration. The same pride I felt when I first held your father all those years ago and that grew so much stronger. I saw him compete in the Sports festival, become successor to his greatest inspiration, and get married, surrounded by the friends he so sorely lacked in middle school. And now he and that bright-eyed girl with pink skin and horns had given me two beautiful grandchildren.

And that, is greater than anything I could ever ask for. It's funny, really. My quirk allows me to bring small things closer to me. And over the years, I realized how precious those small things are to me. You two are proof of that.

Now get some rest, Mikumo. You too, Erina. You have a big day ahead of you and I couldn't be prouder. Of you, of your mother, or of your father. I have never been happier than I am right now. Good night, my dears. Grandma Inko loves you very much. All four of you.