Toshinori enjoyed mornings, particularly with the Midoriya family and the matriarch sitting beside him with about twice the food he had. He quietly eats his egg and toast, ruminating on the amount of research she had put into making sure he stays healthy all these years. Of course, no amount of research would have helped if he did not stick to the diet, and he had plenty of motivation to follow her meal plan.
"And you're sure it has enough flavor for you? I'm trying a few new things." Inko asks her dining partner.
Yagi looks up at her with a small smile, placing his large hand over hers. "I'll admit, it has an extra kick this morning," he says, "but as always, your cooking is delicious."
She smiles at him. "As long as your flattery is honest, I definitely don't mind it."
"I may deflect," he responds with as close to his signature grin as he can get in his less muscular form, "but I never lie."
"I know, I'm learning this little verbal sparring of yours." She clacks her chopsticks like dueling swords before laughing.
He chortles as well, glad he could more easily do so. He was grateful for how much this family helped him take care of himself. He didn't even realize that he was losing himself after that surgery, how he almost ended up neglecting his own health out of the fear his injury instilled in him.
He quickly shakes his head, cutting off that train of thought. His gaze drifts down to her hand, his thumb brushing over her soft skin. "You know, I could at least get you a ring. Show everyone that I care without having to be there to say it."
She gives him a knowing smile of someone more experienced with some aspects of life. "A ring shouldn't be for others, it should be for us."
"True," he agrees without hesitation, "but I don't need a ring to show how much I love you." He gives a smile to her, flexing an arm that is still recovering its volume. "And I have a visible reminder of how much you care. I just want to offer you something to remind you when I'm at work, or off saving the day."
Her eyes glisten a bit above her smile. "You spoil me with trying to leave me with more than those sweet words."
"Inko," he reaches over, gently cupping her cheek with a large hand, "you're worth everything, every breath, every yen. Every thought of us together."
She sniffs and leans against the hand as her eyes threaten to release the deluge in them. "… charmer… keeper."
He chuckles and leans in close, pausing when Izuku rushes past, snatching some bread and hurrying for the front door.
Inko seems to snap out of it as she quickly stands and raises a hand. "Izuku! Have a good day!"
"You too! Love you!" He calls back, closing the door loudly behind him.
Yagi huffs out a laugh, leaning back in his chair. "I think he missed me in his rush."
"I think so, but at least you can see him at the school if you want." She sighs softly, settling back down. "It still feels good to have him excited for school."
"Certainly a change from his middle school," he muses, rubbing his chin. "On that topic, I have a meeting with Nezu after school lets out. He might be able to gather more info to take down Aldera."
"'Take down'? So you think it can't be simply reformed?" She asks, looking thoughtful.
He looks her straight in the eye, his usual smile gone. "I visited there under the guise of Young Bakugou's uncle. Let's just say there are books there that don't belong in schools." He pulls out his phone and shows her a picture of the evidence he found.
She gasps as she sees the titles. "That... explains so much."
He nods, staring at his phone with a scowl. "It appears they use the school to bring children around to their way of thinking, as well as encouraging hostile actions towards those that are seen as quirkless. If Izuku hadn't kept himself from showing off his quirk, we might have never known." Yagi leans back in his chair, forcing himself to calm down. "Nezu should be able to track down any connections and gather further evidence."
"It's a bit scary to think it could happen in an everyday place." Inko admits.
"Precisely why we heroes have to pay attention to these things," he points out, straightening up when she eyes his posture. "Otherwise we might miss the trouble right under our noses."
She nods. "Well, I'm glad I can help by making you worry about less at home."
"And I'm grateful beyond words," he says, gently patting her hand with a small smile.
She blushes softly before glancing at the clock. A sigh comes from her. "How soon do you need to get ready?"
He glances over as well, humming thoughtfully. "I could leave in ten minutes and still have plenty of time!" He gives her a smile, much smaller but more genuine than the one he gives the public. "Would you like my help with the dishes?"
"If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it." She beams at him.
He gets up and gathers his plate, as well as the remains of the toast that was prepared for Izuku.
She eyes that last item, shaking her head and throwing it away with a flick of her quirk. "Don't you go following his example of not eating your meals. I have them all rationed out and labeled for you."
"I would never dream of it," he says with utmost sincerity, placing a hand on his chest. "You work so hard to accommodate my issues. I'd never take that for granted."
She smiles once more. "Maybe one day we'll get lucky and you'll get some good news on that, but until then, I'm happy to do my part."
He furrows his brow, eyes staring at a particularly stubborn stain as he scrubs it. "You heard what the doctor said. Quirks are making it hard to find any kind of match for someone without one… if they're even trying."
"Hard, but not impossible." She counters as she casually works through drying and putting away.
"I have a feeling that David might help more than anyone here in Japan," he calmly responds, passing her the now-clean plate. "Oh, speaking of, I got tickets sent to me for a trip to I-Island this summer. Would you and Izuku like to come?"
"I-island? What's there?" She asks, eyes wide.
"Lots of innovations, food from all over the world, and the I-Expo, where the scientists who live there exhibit brand new hero items, and the event I was invited to," he lists each item off as he thinks of them.
"Oh! So it's like a convention?" She summarizes.
He smiles softly, glad she caught on. "Precisely! And there will be a ball, so we will have to pack nice clothes."
"Oooh, that sounds fun!" She beams now, a small giggle escaping as she imagines it.
He chuckles, glad to see that she likes the idea. He finishes washing the dishes, then turns to her. "Would you like to see what is available tonight, or would you like to wait to shop for clothes later?"
"I'll do some diving into my closet to see if I have anything first." She quickly answers, humming in thought.
He nods, bowing his head slightly. "As you wish."
She brings him in for a hug. "Thank you for bringing us along."
"Why wouldn't I?" He says with a small smile, gently patting her on the back. "It's my family meeting my friend and his own. I'm sure Young Izuku and Young Melissa would get along well."
She nods approvingly, pulling away to straighten his tie. "It sounds like a great idea."
"I'm glad you agree!" He gives her a grateful kiss on the cheek before glancing around the room. "Have you seen my water bottle?"
"Second shelf on the fridge door." She replies with a smile.
"Thank you." He hurries over and gathers it from the fridge, placing it with the other snacks that he'll be eating throughout the day. "Is there anything I'm forgetting?" He muses, looking around the kitchen.
"I think that should be everything." She goes over to him.
"No, there's one thing…" He pulls her close, gently pressing his lips to hers as he embraces her.
She lets out a 'meep' sound, cheeks going rapidly pink as her hands grip his shirt.
He eventually pulls away, grinning at her playfully. "I think that's everything I need for work," he teases her, rubbing his thumb over her rosy cheek.
Her eyes shimmer as she beams, nodding as words fail her.
"Now," he says, straightening up, "I'll be back later with Young Izuku. Rescue training should be a valuable experience, and I'll make sure he learns how to do it properly."
It takes her a few seconds, but she does find her voice. "Have a good day!"
"And you as well!" He calls back, smiling at her as he gathers his things in his arms and heads out the door.
He steps out onto the landing, taking as deep a breath as he can with one lung, and turns towards the school.
"Aah!"
He pauses, glancing over his shoulder in the direction the scream came from. Brow furrowed, he glances at his watch, which shows that he should have left for work a minute ago and nods once. "I've got time." He buffs up into his hero form and leaps away, securely holding his food so he doesn't lose it.
He ends up an hour late to the school.
Let's be honest, he never would've shown up on time, once he heard that first call for help.
While you all are here, I have an announcement! Rider Rifana is out, now, and I'll likely be posting a few chapters of that for a few months while we get more of this story done. Because what you see right now is all that we currently have, since we're planning and writing the USJ arc's version. Randomizers galore!
Let me know what you think, and I apologize that this chapter is so short, compared to the last few.
Have a nice day! Enigma out!