Welcome to the first chapter of the new year! This one is a bit heavier than I usually write but I guess this is how I'm starting the new year off. I hope you all enjoy!
Trigger warning: Mentions of abuse
Inko was grinning as she practically danced around the kitchen. A savory aroma flitted around the apartment as Inko prepared enough food to feed an army. With five growing teens currently watching a movie, Muppet Treasure Island that Kyoka brought, in the living room, it was close enough to a starving army. Looking towards the teens, Inko could not help but to smile at how entranced they were by the movie.
Mina and Eijiro were sitting close together on the floor. Izuku was on the couch with Himiko's leg draped over his lap. Himiko was spread out on the rest of the couch while her head lay on Kyoka's lap. Kyoka was blushing a little at the unusual closeness but took it in stride. Inko found it cute to see Kyoka's earlobe absentmindedly twirling around a strand of Himiko's hair.
Inko took a moment to watch Izuku. From his bright smile, gleaming eyes, and relaxed posture, Inko could see that Izuku was genuinely happy. For the first time in a long time, the stress of Izuku being quirkless and alone had been lifted. Not just for Izuku but for her as well.
Though Inko was truly baffled at how Izuku, her quiet boy, was able to gather so many friends. At least until she heard what he had done.
000
"So how did Izuku meet all of you?" Inko asked the burning question as she looked at the gathered teens who were busy studying.
"Mom, please," Izuku said quietly while blushing.
"He was our hero." The other four said together. Izuku buried his face in his hand while Inko could only blink in confusion.
"I was having a bad day when I met Midori-kun. He came out of nowhere offering candy. Stranger danger jokes and all that," Mina said giggling. "Even if he was super shy and skittish, he was genuinely kind to me and it meant a lot to me."
"At least he was only offering you candy, he pretended to be my boyfriend when we first met," Kyoka said laughing. Izuku started to sputter in embarrassment and tried to deny that being true. Kirishima and Himiko looked at Izuku as if he grew a second head. "Some boy had cornered me in the music store and was making some unwanted passes. Just as I was about to start yelling. Broccoli boy here comes out of nowhere, puts himself between me and the jerk, and acts like he was late to our date or something. Maybe I was the crazy one to accept help like that?"
"Naw, Izuku's heroic nature is just too charming not to draw you in," Mina said dismissively. The other teens agreed to Izuku's chagrin. Inko was wide eyes as she learned about her son being a hero. Even if was for mundane reasons these friends believed that Izuku was already a hero. Their hero.
"You're so manly Midori-bro, I was having a bad day feeling down about myself. But then I come across a boy working to clean up a park. No one else was there, and probably no one would have noticed, but you were working hard to make a difference. I thought that was a manly way to be a hero. When you shared that you were quirkless, but you weren't letting that stop you. I couldn't help but respect that determination. Midori-bro is a true manly hero." Eijiro said thumping his chest. "I hope I can be as heroic as you one day."
Izuku was doing his best imitation of a tomato at Eijiro's words.
"Izu-kun offered me his blood." Himiko's words silenced everyone but Izuku gave Himiko an encouraging smile. "I… my head was in a bad place. My quirk had been starved and I was hunting for my next fix. When I stumbled upon Izu-kun and he just goes and offers me his blood. No… No one has ever done that before and once my head was clear for the first time in so long. I just… Izu-kun comforted me, a monster, and helped me get help. He will forever be my hero."
For a long moment, there was silence.
"Himiko," Kyoka said looking straight into Himiko's eyes,"you're not a monster. The monsters are whoever starved you of the blood you needed." Kyoka gave Himiko a kind smile. With teary eyes, Himiko lept over the table and knocked Kyoka down to the floor while giving her a tight hug.
"She tears up as much as Midori, they're like siblings," Mina whispered to Eijiro who struggle to hide his laughter.
Inko stared at her son, who was too busy beaming at the two on the floor to notice. Izuku was slowly becoming the hero that he wanted to be, one who can make people smile. Pride swelled in Inko knowing her son was going to be just fine.
000
Inko smiled to herself as pride welled up in her. Izuku was slowly growing into the person Inko had imagined he would be. Her smile turned bitter as Inko's thoughts drifted to a boy she would call her nephew, Katsuki.
After the issue with Himiko was settled and the Midoriya family got home, Inko sat the both of them down for a long talk. Lots of tears, guilt, and apologies were shared from both sides. Inko's thoughts drifted toward her talk with Mitsuki.
000
For a brief moment, Inko hesitated before firmly knocking on a very familiar door.
It was but a second before the door opened to reveal Inko's closest friend, Mitsuki. Instead of the usual cocky smile she had, Mitsuki was worriedly nervous.
"Inko, is everything alright? Did something happen?" Mitsuki began looking over Inko like a worried mother.
As much as Inko wanted to be mad, she could not hold it in face of her friend's genuine worry.
"I'm not alright but that's what I wanted to talk to you and Masaru about." Inko gave her best calming smile.
"Right, sorry. Please come in, do you want anything to drink?" Mitsuki asked calming down a little.
"Tea please, Suki-chan."
"Of course, Ko-chan."
As Mitsuki disappeared into her kitchen, Inko was greeted by Masaru.
"Hey Inko, how are you?" Masaru asked walking up to give Inko a hug. Inko smiled and returned the hug.
"Honestly, I've been better," Inko said with a weary smile.
"If there's anything we can help with just ask," Masaru said with a reassuring smile.
"There is something both you and Suki-chan can help me with," Inko said taking a seat.
Masaru's relaxed posture straighten as his face shifted to a more serious one. Mitsuki placed the tray of tea onto the coffee table and adopted Masaru's serious posture. Inko clasped her hands in her lap, unable to find the words she needed.
"Mitsuki, Masaru, Izuku… Izuku told me that Katsuki has been bullying him. That this has been going on since Izuku was five. Katsuki… he's apparently used his quirk on Izuku several times. He… The school apparently overlooks this because Izuku is quirkless."
Silence hung heavy in the air. Inko was afraid of what she would see when she looked up. What she did not expect was to hear sobbing. Looking up, Inko was surprised to find Mitsuki sobbing her eyes out. Masaru was not in better shape as he silently rubbed Mitsuki's back while tears rolled down his face.
"We're so sorry, Inko. I… We knew they drifted apart but never this." Masaru tried to wipe his tears away but failed to do so. "We feared Katsuki was going down the wrong path for a while. This just confirms our suspicions."
Mitsuki launched herself at Inko. She was a sobbing apologetic mess as she clung onto Inko. Inko was in no better shape as she cried along with Mitsuki and tried to calm her down at the same time.
By the time the two women had calmed down, their eyes were very puffy and red. They did not say anything to each other for a long time. Just sat close together enjoying the other's presence like they used to do so long ago.
"Were such terrible parents. I can't believe we never saw the signs. It seemed so obvious now with how nervous Zu-chan was around Kat. How can we ever make it right to you and Zu-chan?" Mitsuki said.
"I missed the signs as well. We're both to blame for letting this go on for long than it should have." Inko said bitterly.
"Katsuki will be home soon. I think… I think I should sit him down for this talk." Masaru said from his seat.
Mitsuki sat up.
"Dear, are you sure? I can talk-"
"Mitsuki," Masaru said cutting in, "I know I left much of the discipline to you. But I think it's time for me to step up. I want to be able to look Izuku in the eyes after this. I can't do that if I keep just standing to the side."
Mitsuki stared at Masaru's face. Gone was the meek and quiet man she normally loved. Instead, one filled with resolve sat before her.
"Yeah, you got this love." Mitsuki sat next to her husband and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks dear," Masaru said taking her hand in his and giving it a light squeeze.
000
Masaru was taking a sip from his mug when he heard the door slam open and the angry grunt that Katsuki made when he comes homes. Placing his mug on the ground and taking one last deep breath, Masaru looked towards the door.
"Katsuki, take a seat in the living room," Masaru called out to his son.
"Why should I waste time with that you old bastard," Katsuki growled.
"Call me that again and you will be grounded for as long as you live underneath my house." Masaru growled out.
Katsuki was clearly spooked by Masaru's out of character behavior. While Katsuki's ever present scowl was there he silently obeyed the order without any fuss.
Instead of the passive look he normally had, Masaru's eyes were sharp. They carried disappointment and anger. It was not a sight Katsuki was used to as he fidgeted in his seat. For what felt like a long moment the two stared at each other.
"Katsuki Bakugo," Masaru said causing his son to flinch, "did you or did you not raise your hands and your quirk against Izuku and other people?"
Katsuki said nothing but his aversion to looking anywhere near Masaru spoke volumes. Masaru tried to keep his temper even but eventually, his hand started sparking as it rubbed against his leg. Both Katsuki and Masaru flinched at the sound.
"I'm sorry," Masaru clenched his fist. "I… there was a reason why I've always let Mitsuki deal with punishments." Reaching up, Masaru began to unbutton his shirt. As he did, burn mark scars trailed across his body. "I remember what it's like to have a quirk raised against you and the world not caring. I never wanted to be like the monster that did this to me, your grandfather. I never wanted you to live like that." A bitter bark of a laugh escaped Masaru. "I failed anyway if you turned into the very villain I wished I could keep you from."
"I'm NOT A VILLAIN!" Katsuki snapped back before flinching from the dead stare Masaru's had.
"A villain is someone who uses their quirk unlawfully to threaten or harm another person or property. So tell me again, are you a villain?"
Katsuki opened his mouth to retort but his eyes were drawn to Masaru's scars. Anything Katsuki wanted to say died as he closed his mouth and stared at the floor.
"The only way this conversation is going to end is if you answer."
"Yes, fuck." Katsuki snapped, "Yes I'm a fucking villain. Are you happy now old man?"
"No, far from it." Masaru's hand sparked again. "I'm pissed off and disappointed in myself for letting you fall this far. Now tell me, did you willing use your quirk against Izuku."
"Yes," Katsuki growled out.
Sobbing could be heard from the kitchen but Katsuki refused to look over. Masaru knew his wife and Inko were listening to them.
"Do you still wish you could be a hero?" Masaru asked softly catching Katsuki off guard.
"You're not going to punish me?"
"No, you're still going to get punished. But how you answer these next few questions will determine your future." Masaru leaned forward. "Do you still aspire to be the number one hero?"
"Yes."
"Will you do whatever it takes to become the number one hero?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand, that as your parents, we could have any of your applications to a hero school denied should we believe you are not fit to attend?"
"... I do." Katsuki bit his cheek as he looked away from Masaru."
For a long while, Masaru was silent as he stared at his son. As his fist relaxed, Masaru picked up his mug again.
"From now on, we will be attending therapy sessions." Katsuki looked ready to protest before he was silenced by Masaru's cold stare. "If you want any hope of attending a hero school, you will accept your punishments without a word." Getting a reluctant nod from Katsuki, Masaru continued. "If you cause any trouble, if we hear even a whisper of you bullying anyone then your mother and I will deny any of your hero school applications. You are also going to spend time doing community service. The amount shall be discussed at a later time. Finally, for the next three months. You're grounded. That means you're going to school and coming straight back home. Do you understand?"
Katsuki was silent as he stared at the floor. When Masaru repeated the question, Katsuki looked up with tears in eyes.
"Yes, I understand." Katsuki hesitated for a bit before asking, "Why are you bothering to give me a second fucking chance? Shouldn't you just throw a filthy fucking villain off to the heroes?"
"Because you're my son," Masaru answered without hesitation, "I failed to educate you right from wrong and that's on me. So now I can only do my best to teach you now. As for why no police or heroes are here." Masaru looked over towards the door of the kitchen. "Inko and Izuku still believe you could be a great hero someday. We want to believe that too."
There was nothing else to be said. The two sat there quietly before Masaru told Katsuki to go up to his room. Unlike normal, there was not a growl or snide comment. Katsuki simply accepted his punishment and Masaru hoped that the boy was reflecting about everything. Masaru himself took a few minutes to properly finish his mug before fixing his shirt and going to comfort the two crying moms.
000
There was a knock on the door pulling Inko away from her memories. Izuku hearing the knock was already out of his, much to Himiko's disappointment, and heading towards the door. Inko wasn't paying that much attention until she heard her son stutter.
"G-good, good evening, h-how can I help you?" Izuku said.
"Hello sweetie, I was told Himiko-chan was here."
Hearing that Inko set down her tools to look at the door. She was surprised to find a very elegant ravenette with her hair tied up in a bun wearing a simple red skirt and white blouse. Something about the woman's face was familiar to her but she could not place it.
Himiko chose this time to appear next to Inko, she noted that Himiko was holding one of her kitchen knives.
Himiko's glare and fighting stance soften as genuine joy lit up her face.
"Kayama-sensei! Hi!" Himiko started bouncing up and down and waving at Kayama with the knife.
"Himiko. Go put that knife away." Kayama's gentle expression shifted to a stern one. Himiko eeped and quickly disappeared into the kitchen. "I'm so sorry about her," Kayama said exasperated while bowing.
"It's quite alright, she's been a sweetie," Inko said patting Himiko on the shoulder after she returned.
"What are you doing here Kayama-sensei?" Himiko asked still bouncing around.
"To pick you up," Kayama said causing Himiko to stop and pout at her. "Villains are abnormally active today. I felt better picking you up myself."
"Can we at least finish the movie and stay for dinner Kayama-sensei? Inko-sans food is to die for." Himiko began making puppy dog eyes.
"We don't want to impose-"
"You're more than welcome to join us Kayama-san. I made plenty of extras." Inko cut in, "Though I doubt there will be any leftover with how ravenous teens in training are."
Kayama looked between Inko and Himiko a few times before giving in. Himiko celebrated and began to pull Izuku away much to the boy's chagrin as he seemed like he wanted to say something. Eventually, the two returned to their spots on the couch and the group of friends returned to their movie. Inko watched as Kayama seemed to analyze how relaxed the teens were before sighing and taking off her shoes.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay for a bit. I hate to impose but I'm really glad Himiko-chan has such a close group of friends," Kayama said as Inko lead her to the kitchen table.
"It's no problem at all. I feel much the same way about my son Izuku. He's come a long way in just a few months." Inko returned back to the food making sure everything was alright. Kayama tried to help but Inko waved her off. "Would you like anything to drink?"
"Do you have some green tea?" Kayama asked to which Inko smiled and pulled out her stash.
"Are you a teacher from U.A. as well?" Inko asked catching Kayama off guard.
"Wha- how did you guess that?"
"I work as a nurse at the clinic that Vlad King picked Himiko up from. It was Izuku that got Himiko-chan help." Inko answered as she began to plate the food as she could hear the movie start to come to a close.
"Oh, I see. Yeah, I've been put in charge of Himiko-chan's rehabilitation. Vlad King would have done it but he doesn't have the training. Himiko-chan is a handful, but she is a lovely girl."
"Oh, I know the feeling. I love Izuku, but there are days he somehow ends up in so much trouble."
As the two women began to share their experiences with problem children, Inko went about setting the table. Kayama eventually got Inko to allow her to help out. As the two finished setting up everything the teens appeared.
"Oh wow there's so much food!" Mina said bouncing on her toes.
Kyoka and Himiko were drooling at the sight of the spread while Kirishima was trying to withhold his growling stomach. Which he was failing at.
"This looks great mom," Izuku said before turning to Kayama. "I-I-I w-was, was… Would you be willing to sign my notebook Midnight-san!" Izuku dropped down into a perfect ninety-degree bow as he held out his notebook.
The rest of the room was shocked about Kayama's identity. Well except for two. Inko could only sigh and rest her chin in her palm. Himiko just giggled as she took her seat. She knew this was going to happen.
"I would be happy to sign your notebook. But how did you know it was me?" Kayama asked finally getting over her shock.
"Well, you're here to pick up Himiko. That means you work for U.A. Of the heroes that currently work at U.A. there are very few female heroes. Even less could remotely pass as you in their civilian uniform. I know it's bad manners to approach a hero off-duty but I really could not help myself. I'm so-"
"Nothing to be sorry about dear," Kayama said cutting off Izuku. "I got to say your level of deduction was very good. And I know that if I had a hero in my home it be hard for me not to ask for an autograph either." Kayama held out Izuku's notebook. "Also, can I say, your analysis is amazing. I would pay you for a proper full in-depth one. Yours is already better than some professional ones that I have seen. Also, I would love to be your art model. Your drawings were amazing and if you need some tips I'd be happy to teach you."
Izuku was fully red, like not an inch of skin wasn't blushing.
"I'd be happy to give you a properly written analysis," Izuku said happily said before descending into a mumble storm about questions he had that was so fast no one could understand. Everyone that knew Izuku rolled their eyes affectionately while Kayama felt her head spin and she tried to keep up with what ideas she was parsing out.
Izuku then stopped mumbling before bowing again.
"I'm so sorry, I tend to let my thoughts get away from me. I'd if you have any tips on how to improve my drawing skills I would be very interested."
Once Kayama's eyes stopped swirling, she patted the seat next to her.
"I'm happy to talk about art at any time."
Izuku, Kayama, and Himiko were soon heavily involved in a topic about art. Inko, Mina, Kyoka, and Eijirou were talking about the movie. Eventually, the conversation shifted to Kayama retelling some of her favorite stories as a hero. The teens especially listened with rapt attention making many notes about some of the lessons that Kayama shared with them.
As dinner was wrapping up, Mina and Eijirou took it upon themselves to do the dishes. Kyoka and Himiko dried them and Izuku was left putting it all away. Inko tried to help them but was quickly escorted back to the table to relax.
"What a sweet bunch of kids," Kayama said as she watched the kids.
"Yes, they indeed are. They're going to be great heroes one day." Inko had a proud smile as she watched over the kids.
"Oh yeah? Are they all aiming to become heroes?"
"They are. They've been working hard at not only improving their fitness but also their quirks. God knows how many times I find them experimenting in Izuku's room after he comes up with something." Inko shook her head with a fond smile. "They've also been doing community work. Just recently they helped out at an animal shelter."
Kayama had a soft smile as she watched the teens laugh together about something.
"I hope they are all planning on going to U.A. because I would love to have them students."
The two watched the kids work for a few minutes before Inko turned to Kayama with a solemn look.
"Nemuri, please be frank with me. In your professional opinion, could Izuku, who's quirkless, make it as a pro-hero?" Inko asked as she clutched her skirt.
Nemuri did not even hesitate to answer.
"Yes, I believe that a quirkless could become a hero. And Izuku, he clearly has the brains to be an amazing investigative hero." Nemrui frowned as she spoke the next part, "quirk or not will not mean a hero is in any more or less danger. At the end of the day, it's a person's actions that speak loudest."
"I guess I need to get used to the idea my baby isn't much of a baby anymore." Inko sighed returning to watching her son. The way he lit up around his friends made Inko smile. A smile that she would do everything to protect. Even if it means embracing Izuku's dream and going plus ultra.
Well here it is. This chapter was probably one of the hardest to write. Mostly cause I was not entirely sure how to handle the Bakugos. I hope that it was alright.
I tried to keep the story light-hearted at the end by introducing Midnight. I'm very fond of stories where Himiko and Midnight end up sharing a close relationship due to rehab. I think I want to explore that here a bit. Also, giving Inko more mom friends is a cool idea to me so it works out that way too.
Inko was never too onboard in canon for Izuku to become a hero. She supported him but I always felt that there was an underlying preference in her for him to do pretty much anything else. I'm taking that hesitation and tossing it out the window. If Inko is going to watch Izuku be a hero she's going to do everything she can to help. We see how that plays out in the future.
I hope you all have a good new year!
PK OUT!