Chapter 6
Inko's New Lease on Life
Toshinori
Toshinori watched as Inko, Ariden, and Izuku arrived at the beach. The sun had just started to rise past the horizon, though the chill of the night still clung to the air. It had been two days since Inko had agreed to start training to be a hero. Toshinori smiled as he walked toward the Midoriya family.
"Good morning!" He called out. "Ready to get to work?"
"Yes sir!" Both boys nodded, then left to begin.
"This place is a dump!" Inko exclaimed as she looked around at the piles of junk and metal. "You've been making my boys train here?" She asked, an edge in her tone.
Toshinori felt a shiver crawl down his spine at her stern glare.
"I want it pointed out that I invited you to come observe some time ago." He said, avoiding Inko's glare. "Also, I've been watching over them whenever they are here. So, as long as they are up to date on their tetanus vaccines, there is nothing to worry about."
"Well, you can never be too sure!" Inko huffed.
Toshinori couldn't stop himself from snorting in amusement.
"Anyways…" He continued, "I have brought you along so that you could train your quirk."
"Is that even possible?"
"Certainly, every pro hero has to train their quirk in order to grow stronger," Toshinori explained. "One for All being excluded from that statement of course," Toshinori thought wryly. "Your quirk is no different."
"And how exactly am I going to train my quirk?" Inko asked.
"By using it to move all this junk around, of course!" Toshinori smiled as he gestured to the myriad piles of garbage.
"And that is going to help me how?" Inko arched an eyebrow.
"Think of your quirk like a muscle," Toshinori explained. "The more you use it, the stronger it will get, the more you can do with it, and so on and so forth."
"It can't be that simple." Inko shook her head. "I don't think my quirk is all that powerful."
A loud grunt caused both adults to turn. Toshinori and Inko watched as the boys struggled in vain to push an old, busted-up truck with a heap of garbage loaded on the back. Ariden and Izuku strained against the heavy burden, faces red, veins bulging. Until Izuku's face turned a shade of green. With a violent wretch, he vomited that morning's breakfast onto the sand.
"Christ, that's fucking disgusting!" Ariden shouted as he lept away from Izuku.
As Ariden lept away he clipped the truck with his hip, rocking it. The heap of garbage in the back gave a low groan, and collapsed. Junk rained down on both of the boys. Thankfully, it was all small bits and pieces that wouldn't really hurt them. Except for the 50-pound dumbbell that was on the top of the pile.
Time slowed for Inko. She watched in horror as the dumbbell hurtled toward Izuku, who was still hunched over. Without another thought, Inko reached out toward the weight and clenched her fist. The dumbbell immediately flew sideways. Toward her and Toshinori.
Inko felt Toshinori's strong arms wrap around her and pull her to the side. She watched as the dumbbell rushed past where she and Toshinori had just been. It continued to fly, clearing the beach, past the surf, and off into the horizon. Inko turned back toward the boys, who looked at her and gave a thumbs-up. She let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding
"What did you say again?" Toshinori smugly asked as he let Inko go. "That your quirk wasn't powerful?"
Inko scowled at Toshinori, who couldn't help but laugh.
"Now," Toshinori clapped and rubbed his hands together. "Unless you have any more objections, it's time to get to work."
Inko gave a curt huff and turned.
"One more thing," Toshinori called after Inko.
"Yes?" Inko turned back to Toshinori.
"Try not to overdo it. This is only one part of your training."
"Oh? What else do you have planned?" Inko asked, her annoyance turning into curiosity. "And also, what do you have planned for Mei Hatsume, since you didn't invite her here."
"It'd be best if you just focused on this part of the training for now," Toshinori said. "I've got everything covered, but it'll take some time to get everything ready."
Inko considered Toshinori's words for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, just as long as those plans don't involve this death trap." Inko gestured around her. "Wish me luck."
"You'll do great, though I'd recommend you start with smaller objects first," Toshinori said.
Inko smiled a little at Toshinori's encouragement and then wandered off to a spot to train.
"Now that that's out of the way…" Toshinori thought, "Why the hell did I say I had other stuff planned!?" A cold sweat broke out on Toshinori's brow. "Hell, having Inko train her quirk was a spur-of-the-moment idea. I have no idea how I'm going to train her and Hatsume!"
Ariden and Izuku
The Midday sun beatdown on Ariden and Izuku as they tried to move the truck. They had been trying to move the thing for the past three days. This was their fifth attempt that day. Both boys knew the old adage about the definition of insanity. But they didn't care. Getting the truck to move even an inch had become a matter of pride to them.
"Alright! This one is for all the money!" Ariden pumped a fist. "I can feel it!"
"Didn't you say that last time?" Izuku asked with far less enthusiasm.
"Just shut up and push." Ariden frowned.
With a groan, Ariden and Izuku pushed with all their might. They felt it as every muscle in their bodies cried out for mercy, but they ignored the pain as they pressed on. The truck creaked and groaned in protest. Eventually, all their effort paid off as slowly but surely, the wheels of the tire rolled forward. Until one of the front wheels got snagged on a rock and stopped all forward momentum.
"That was about five feet, yeah?" Izuku huffed as he sat down.
"Just about," Ariden nodded as he sat next to Izuku. "At least we moved the damn thing."
"Now all you have to do is move it the rest of the way."
Both boys shot up and turned to see Toshinori approach.
"There'll be time to rest, but not right now," Toshinori said, a stern look on his face. "But since you clearly aren't busy, I need to ask something of you two."
"Shoot," Ariden said.
"I need your help with something."
"Of course, anything you need, we'll do," Izuku nodded enthusiastically.
"At least hear what I have to say before agreeing," Toshinori laughed. "I need your help with coming up with a way to train Inko and Hatsume."
"You honor us." Izuku bowed, much to the surprise and discomfort of Ariden and Toshinori. "For you to think that we'd be able to help is truly the greatest compliment we've ever gotten."
"Yeah…" Ariden said, looking at Izuku like he had grown a second head. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I gotta ask. Why do you need our help?"
"Because…" Toshinori sighed. "I have no idea how to train someone else's quirk." He shook his head dejectedly. "Then I remembered those quirk analysis books you two had and the borderline obsession you have for quirks. And I thought that you two would be able to help me out."
"Of course, we'll help you out!" Izuku nodded vigorously.
"Though you will owe us a favour." Ariden added.
Toshinori eyed Ariden warily
"It'll be within reason, promise," Ariden said, putting both his hands up placatingly. "Do we have a deal?"
"Deal." Toshinori nodded, shaking both Ariden and Izuku's hand.
Inko
"So what are we doing!?" Mei asked excitedly.
The midday sun loomed overhead as Inko, Toshinori, and Mei stood just beside the entrance to the Hatsume workshop. They watched as Ariden and Izuku unloaded a ton of equipment from Toshinori's truck. The equipment being a bunch of target stands of varying sizes and two baseball pitching machines.
"Well as you can see." Toshinori said, gesturing toward Ariden and Izuku. "We're setting up a training area for you two."
"I think what Hatsume meant was, what would we be doing specifically." Inko said.
"I see." Toshinori nodded. "Well for you, Inko, You'll be training your reflexes. Both with your quirk and your body.
"How?"
"By dodging baseballs at increasing speeds and catching them with your quirk."
"Also!" Ariden shouted as he setup on of the targets a few yards from the group. "Me and Izuku have a theory that we want to test! We want to see if you're able to use your quirk to push objects away!"
"There is that as well." Toshinori said. "Now as for you Hatsume." He turned to Mei. "You'll also be training your reflexes, but along with that you'll be training your situational awarness."
"What's situational awarness?" Mei asked.
"Its when you are aware of your surroundings even when focused on something else," Toshinori explained. "You'll be training that skill by dodging baseballs while you are zoomed in on one of the targets."
"You'll also be improving how far you can zoom in with your quirk by looking at targets farther and farther away!" Izuku shouted from afar.
"Yes, thank you for explaining." Toshinori said, a little annoyance creeping into his tone. "Now once you've pro-" Toshinori started.
"Should our theory prove correct." Ariden interrupted as he and Izuku approached the group. "We'll set up some targets for you to practice your aim," He said to Inko.
"I was just about to get to tha-" Toshinori tried to say.
"And once you've progressed far enough Mei, we'll set up a more complex course for you to train on," Izuku said.
"Tell me, how do you feel about guns?" Ariden asked.
As the boys continued to rattle off ideas, Inko watched Toshinori sigh dejectedly. She sidled next to the tall man and patted him on the back. Toshinori looked down at Inko in surprise, but she just smiled warmly. He couldn't help but smile back.
The sun crept lower as Twilight set in. It had been about four or five hours since Inko and Mei had started. They were both covered in sweat, dirt, and just a hint of blood. Their bodies had bruises all over from the baseballs they failed to dodged. Yet they continued to train without hesitation.
Mei breathed slowly and regained her focus. She used her quirk and zoomed in on a target 80 meters away and waited. The pitching machine's timing had been set to random, so Mei had no idea when the next ball would come so she had to always be on guard.
A flicker of movement to Mei's right caught her eye and she glanced over for a moment. In that instant the pitching machine launched a baseball. Mei keeled over as the baseball hit her straight in the gut. When she didn't get back up it became clear she was done for the day.
Inko, however, kept going. Sweat dripped down her face as she dodged two baseballs that had been flung at her back to back. Another ball shot toward her a split second after she dodged the first two. Inko held up her hand and tried to use her quirk to catch the third. But fatigue had finally caught up with her as her quirk failed to stop the ball. The baseball struck her square in the face. Inko was knocked down to the ground instantly, signalling the end of her run.
"I think that's enought for today." Toshinori said as he apprched the two downed women.
Both women groaned in frustration.
"Why is it so hard to focus on two things at once!" Mei complained as she got up.
"I don't know if this is going to work," Inko sighed. "Everytime I try to catch a ball its always to little to late."
Toshinori placed a gentle hand on Inko's shoulder.
"Don't lose hope." Toshinori grinned warmly. "Training is always the hardest at the start."
"Yeah!" Izuku said cheerfully as he and Ariden approached Mei. "You'll get the hang of it in no time."
"Do you really think so?" Mei asked.
"Of course we do." Ariden nodded.
Mei's grimace turned into an excited smile in an instant.
"No use sitting around then! Back to training!" Mei boldly declared.
"Let's not." All three men quickly said.
"Actually..." Inko interjected, "I still want to test out that theory the boys had more."
"You've tried to see if it was possible already?" Ariden asked
"Yeah, I tried a few times but it never worked."
"What did you try?" Izuku asked.
"I tried thinking about pushing the ball away while using my quirk but that didn't work."
"So her power isn't affected by her own thoughts." Izuku muttered.
"That means that in order for the theory to work there has to be a physical action." Ariden added as he huddled with Izuku
"So what would that entail..." Izuku continued to mutter.
Toshinori, Inko, and Mei all watched as Ariden and Izuku paced back and forth across the field, too absorbed in their quiet rapid mutterings to notice anything else. Toshinori couldn't help but feel a little perturbed. The rapid muttering reminded him to much of an old horror movie he had watched as a kid. Inko just rolled her eyes, chuckled a little, and recalled all the times her sons had done this. Mei on the other hand, had the biggest grin on her face as she watched the brothers with enthusiasm.
"I love it when they do that." Mei commented.
"Really?" Inko and Toshinori asked at the same time.
"Yeah!" Mei smiled. "I kinda do the same thing when inventing, getting all super focused and ignoring everything else," She explained. "So it's always makes me smile seeing those two act the same way when it comes to stuff they love."
"I'm so glad my boys have a friend like you." Inko smiled warmly at Mei.
"That could possibly work." Izuku nodded.
"Then lets test it." Ariden scratched his chin pensively.
Both boys abruptly stopped pacing and turned to Inko.
"So we have an idea." Ariden said.
"You should try to swing your arm while using your quirk." Izuku said
"Why?" Inko asked.
"Think of your quirk like the sun and the ball like a comet. The sun's gravity pulls everything towards it." Ariden explained.
"However with enough momentum the comet orbits the sun instead of getting pulled in." Izuku continued the explanation. "We think by swinging your arm while using your quirk, you can provide the momentum needed for the ball to orbit around you and back where it came from."
Inko nodded in understanding as she listened.
"I think I understand," she said as she walked back to her training area. "Let's give it a go."
With a press of a button the pitching machine revved back to life. Inko stared down the machine for a long time. She breathed in and out as she tried to ready herself for what came next. Inko was prepared when the ball shot from the cannon, She extended her arm and used her quirk to try and grasp the ball. She felt the ball become ensnared by the gravitational pull of her quirk, and pulled it towards her. Inko waited till the ball was a few meters away, then with a shout swiped her arm outwards away from herself.
The ball didn't stop its forward momentum. It remained unaffected by Inko's movements as it hurtled towards Inko's head. With a yelp Inko ducked out of the way just as the ball was only a few inches away from her face.
"Dammit," Inko grumbled bitterly as she dusted herself off. "I thought that would have worked."
She felt a strong hand on her shoulder, she turned around and saw it was Toshinori.
"Are you okay?"
As angry as Inko was, she couldn't help but feel touched by Toshinori's concern.
"I'm fine," Inko sighed. "But as you saw, the idea didn't work."
"You win some and you lose some," Toshinori shrugged. "It's all a part of the process," He said. "I'm sure you'll find something that works, and'll be flicking objects away like flies."
All three Midoriya's perked up at Toshinori's words.
"What did you just say?" Inko asked.
"It's all part of the process..." Toshinori said hesitantly.
"No, no. After that."
"You'll be flicking objects away?" Toshinori guessed.
"Flicking..." Izuku mused aloud. "Could the answer be that simple?"
"Only one way to find out." Inko said as she turned back toward the pitching machine.
Inko stretched her arms and shoulders as she breathed deeply to center herself. She turned back to look at everyone and gave them a cocky grin. Then the ball launched from the machine. Inko inhaled slowly as the ball rocketed toward her. Just as it was a few feet away from her, Inko swatted the back of her right hand toward the ball.
With a jerk the ball changed it's course and flew away from Inko. There was a soft thud as the ball landed to Inko's right, almost as far away as the pitching machine was. The machine fired again, this time Inko used her left hand. The ball landed on the left side of the field, though a little closer than the previous ball. The pitching machine chucked one final ball. Instead of swatting to the side, Inko swatted her hand directly infront of her, as if she was blowing a kiss. The ball immediately flew back the way it came, and dinged the lower lip of the pitching
machine's barrel.
Everyone looked at Inko, speechless and amazed. Inko couldn't help but smile and cheer seeing the looks on her sons and Toshinori's faces.
"That was incredible!" Inko pumped her fists.
"Indeed it was." Toshinori nodded with a smile. "Congratulations."
"Glad to see our hypothesis proven." Ariden said
"And now that we know you're able to use your quirk that way, we'll set up some targets for you the next time you train here." Izuku said.
Both Inko and Mei groaned at the thought of more training.
"We know the feeling." Ariden said commiseratingly
Toshinori couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Mom's success was catalyzing, seeing her able to reach new heights spurred us to go even further beyond our own.
In the words of a certain blond giant, we went Plus Ultra.
Ariden, Izuku, Inko, Mei
"Come on! You can do it!" All Might cheered from the goal marker.
Ariden and Izuku grunted as sweat poured down their faces. Their bodies ached as they pushed against the broken down truck. The truck groaned and whined as if slowly rolled along the sandy beach inch by agonizing inch. It was a battle of wills, Man vs. Machine, and they had been fighting against the truck for a week. But a wave of fatigue washed over both boys, their strength faltering just at the cusp of their goal.
"Izuku!" Ariden snarled.
Izuku turned and saw his brother glowering with a ferocity he had never seen before.
"I'm getting sick and tired of this fucking truck! Aren't you?!"
"Yeah..." Izuku said, finding Ariden's anger infectious. "I am sick of this goddamn truck!"
"Then what do you say about getting rid of it once and for all!?"
"Let's go!"
Toshinori watched in amazement as both boys seemed to regain their flagging strength. The truck started to move faster, from a few inches a second, to a few feet, then a few yards. All the while both boys roared in defiance.
"PLUS ULTRA!" Ariden and Izuku shouted in sync as they pushed the truck past goal marker and all the way to the entrance of the beach.
Toshinori's smile when they returned was the brightest it had ever been.
After a while everything kind of just became clockwork in my opinion.
Inko easily ducked under the baseball as it flew past her. With a flick of her wrist the second ball flew off to the right, clipping the side of the target she had been aiming for. Inko smirked a little, and turned to see if Toshinori was watching. She never saw the ball that smacked her in the head.
Mei used her quirk to zoom in on the second furthest target, at around 4.2 Kilometers. While not as agile as she had hoped to be, her skill had improved over the past month. She had been able to focus on the target while also paying attention to her peripheral view. She ducked and dodged the baseballs with ease. That is until her zoomed in vision turned it's focus away from the target to a rustling bush. A baseball clocked her in the chin.
Ariden, I think you may be misremembering things, cause training was in no way close to being like clockwork.
"So how is this supposed to help with training?" Ariden asked as he sweat nervously.
Mei looked up from the device strapped to Ariden's chest.
"Training?" Mei asked, puzzled. "Who said anything about training? I just needed a test dummy and you were closer than Izuku."
Izuku blanched and stepped back a little.
"Then what exactly does this thing... do?"
"Can't remember, I made this thing while sleep deprived." Mei shrugged. "Only one way to find out though." She said, as she pulled out a remote.
The explosion sent Ariden flying across the field. Mei watched on in disappointment at her baby's failure while Izuku chased after his brother.
Yeah... I think you might be right.
At least our home life wasn't as crazy.
Okay, now it's my turn to call bullshit
Inko
Inko brow furrowed as she focused all her attention on stitching up the torn sleeve of Izuku's uniform. From what Izuku told her, he tore it when a device their friend Mei had made exploded. Inko couldn't help but glance nervously over to Ariden who sat across the coffee table from here, tinkering away at a device that Mei had given him.
But she quickly returned to her task, enjoying the familiarity of sewing. It was one of the few rare days where she and her boys weren't training. Though it seemed she was the only one taking it easy. Inko returned her gaze back at Ariden as he worked away. She then looked at the door to her sons' room. Izuku had told her that he'd be in there most of the day compiling notes the both he and Ariden had made and uploading them to some cloud network that Mei had set-up.
In all honesty she didn't get that last part, but she didn't really care. She was just happy seeing her boys look more alive than they had ever been. And it was all thanks to Toshinori. Her heartbeat increased when she thought of him.
She had come to terms that she had fallen in love with Toshinori, and welcomed the feeling it gave her. Every time Toshinori came around her life changed, and so far, it changed for the better. He was kind, compassionate, smart, and the only person in the world who gave her sons the chance to shine. All in all, a good man.
Inko knew that she'd tell him sooner or later. She wasn't a timid highschooler who was to scared to confess. The only thing that stopped her was the right moment. For the past few weeks, Inko had tried, but training or work always got in the way. One time she had gotten close to broaching the subject but was interrupted when Toshinori's boss called saying they needed him immediately.
Inko couldn't help but scowl a little at that memory. While she admired All Might, the man seemed to be a very demanding person who was entirely too dependent on Toshinori. Inko made a mental note to give All Might a piece of her mind should she ever meet him. Then she sighed and resumed her busy work. Wondering when the right moment would come.
"OH CRAP!" Izuku shouted in alarm.
Inko and Ariden both looked up in alarm as Izuku rushed out the bedroom.
"What!? What's Wrong?!" Inko asked as she got up from her seat.
"It's Toshinori's birthday today!" Izuku said, panicked.
"How could have I forgotten?!" Inko cried in dismay. "And it's already 5 o'clock. There isn't enough time left!"
"Easy mom." Ariden said as he guided Inko back toward her chair. "Just cause you forgot doesn't mean the world is going to end."
"I know." Inko sniffled a little. "But I wanted to do something special for Toshinori when his birthday came around."
"Relax it's not like he'll be mad or disappointed." Ariden laughed.
"I know it's just..." Inko said as she blushed a little. "I had been hoping to use his birthday as an oppurtunity to... ask him something..."
Ariden and Izuku jaws dropped as they stared at Inko in shock.
"Are you implying what I think you're implying?" Ariden asked.
"I am," Inko nodded. "However let me ask you, would you think less of me or Toshinori if we started seeing each other?"
"Of course not," Izuku shook his head. "And you don't need our approval, you have every right to find happiness."
"And so does Toshinori." Ariden added. "God knows he needs someone in his life."
Tears burst from Inko's eyes as she smiled as bright as the sun. With a wave of her hands both boys were dragged toward Inko, their feet almost lifting off the ground. When they reached her, Inko wrapped both of them in a warm hug, as tears flowed freely and drenched Ariden and Izuku.
"I love you both, never forget that." Inko sniffed as she let them go. "Now then, I think it's best that we get started."
"Could we invite Mei?" Izuku asked. "Since she's also training with Toshinori."
"Of course you can," Inko said. "Besides the more hands to help out the better."
Toshinori
Toshinori sat alone in the dark of his office, his only light source a single desk lamp. The room, silent as the grave, save for the scratch of Toshinori's pen on paper. With a groan of exhuastion he laid down the pen, and looked out the large windows that served as one wall of his office.
The Skyline of Tokyo was on full display. The city shined with a thousand colors in the night like distant stars. And for once Toshinori allowed himself to contemplate his life and just how he had ended up where he was.
"How long has it been since I received One for All?" Toshinori asked the empty air. "How long has it been since I became the number one hero?" He continued. "And how much longer can I keep this up?" He sighed as he placed a hand against his mangled side.
Toshinori looked around his office and paused briefly on the empty desk that was off to the side.
"And what could have I done differently?"
A small buzz of noise roused Toshinori from his thoughts. He looked down and saw his phone's screen light up. Toshinori picked up his phone and saw that Inko had sent him a text asking if he was free to come over. A gentle smile formed on Toshinori's face as he looked at the message.
Toshinori never had much time for a social life when he inherited One for All, though he tried once upon a time. Back when he was still a young man in America, he had found someone who could make his heart race and tie his stomach into knots. Unfortunately it never worked out and they parted way amicably.
Now after so many years, Toshinori felt like a young man once again. He reread Inko's text and knew there was only one answer.
Inko and Toshinori
Toshinori walked up the stairs toward the Midoriya's apartment, The humidity of the hot summer night clung to his skin. He wiped the damp from his brow as he reached the door, then he knocked. After a few moments the door opened and he was greeted by Inko's warm smile.
"I'm so glad you're here," Inko said warmly.
"There is no place I'd rather be." Toshinori smiled in exchange.
"Then come in and make yourself at home."
Toshinori hummed contently as he entered the apartment. He and Inko walked side by side as they entered the living room. Toshinori saw Ariden, Izuku, and Mei Hatsume gathered around the coffee table conversing amongst themselves. Ariden and Izuku noticed Toshinori enter and got up from their chairs.
"Happy Birthday!" Both boys grinned.
Toshinori blinked in surprise.
"It's my birthday?" He asked.
"Well yeah." Ariden said with a shrug. "Unless you weren't born on June tenth."
Toshinori quickly opened his phone and checked the date and saw that it was indeed his birthday.
"It's a little embarrasing to admit, but I had completely forgotten my birthday." Toshinori laughed. "So thank you boys for remembering for me."
"Oh? I didn't know it's your birthday." Mei said from her seat.
"Mei, we literally told you that it was his birthday when we invited you over." Ariden said as he looked at Mei, perplexed.
Inko chuckled as she took Toshinori by the hand. He looked down at Inko with a raised eyebrow. She just grinned and led him by the hand toward the dinning area. The table had been set for five. Toshinori noted the tableware was fine china that had obviously been taken out for the occasion, on account of the few smudges of dust still left on a few of the plates.
"Now just sit back and relax," Inko said as she guided him to his chair. "The kids will bring dinner out shortly." she said as she sat down next to Toshinori.
Inko and Toshinori only waited a few minutes before Ariden, Izuku, and Mei brought dinner out. The main entree was a perfectly grilled salmon that glistened and steamed, with fleck of sea salt on top and a slice of lemon on the side. The sides were a simple fair of fluffy white rice and steaming miso soup.
"I hope you like it!" Inko smiled. "I made it with your dietary restrictions in mind."
"It's perfect," Toshinori offered a smile of his own. "Though you didn't have to go through all the trouble just for me."
"I know, but I wanted too," Inko said. "Toshi, you have helped me and my family so much these past few months. This is the least I can do for you." She said ernestly
"That look in your eye is telling me there is no winning this argument." Toshinori laughed. "So thank you, Inko." He bowed his head. "Also, Toshi?"
"Just a little nickname," Inko blushed. "You don't like it?"
"I never said I didn't like it." Toshinori smiled, a light blush on his cheeks.
The salmon was delicate and flaky, the sharpness from the added lemon and salt adding to the flavour. The miso soup tasted nice and savoury, with a hint of nutty sweetness from the soybean paste. The rice was mainly there for filler, but was cooked perfectly and had a pleasing texture. It was one of the best dinners Toshinori had ever eaten.
All five sat around the dinner table, chattering away without a care in the world. Jokes were told, Questions asked, and Mei planned out at least 100 inventions over the course of the dinner. Needless to say, Toshinori wouldn't forget that night for as long as he lived.
Things eventually wound down. With the boys and Mei volunteering for cleanup duty, while Toshinori and Inko sat on the couch drinking tea. When the three teens finished cleaning up they headed for the door.
"Were going to walk Mei home if that's alright." Izuku said
"Of course," Inko nodded. "You three be safe."
"We will," Ariden said. "You two have fun now." He said as he winked to Toshinori.
"Also, Happy Birthday!" Mei said.
"Thank you." Toshinori bowed his head toward the three teens. "And to you as well." He turned to Inko. "I won't forget this kindness."
All three teens bowed their heads in gratitude and left. Toshinori and Inko sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Both lost in their personal musings. Toshinori was roused finally when he heard his watch beep at the change of the hour.
"I have to thank you once again for dinner." Toshinori said, breaking the silence. "It was one of the best I've had in a long time."
"It was my pleasure." Inko blushed. "And I'm more than happy to do it again, all you have to do is ask."
Toshinori tried to fight the blush that was creeping onto his face.
"That may be a bit much..." He chuckled awkwardly. "I wouldn't want to take advantage of your hospitality."
Inko shifted closer to Toshinori and placed a hand on his.
"You could never take advantage of that." Inko smiled warmly. "You are always welcome here."
"Inko..." Toshinori said softly. "I don't know if I've ever told you this, but thank you, for always being there for me. It means more to me than you could know."
"And thank you for everything you've done."
Both adults sat there in silence as they lost themselves in each other's gaze.
"She is so beautiful." Toshinori thought. "Is it possible that I could find a life outside of being All Might? Should I? Can I?"
"He looks so handsome," Inko thought. "But it's been so long since I've been with anyone. Would this time around end up the same as last time?"
A muffled alarm emanated from Toshinori's pants pocket and broke both adults from their trances. Toshinori huffed in annoyance as he dug through his pocket and pulled out his phone. It was an alarm Toshinori had set when he left the office and forgotten about, it was a warning that the last train to Tokyo would depart soon.
"I'm sorry Inko, but I have to go," Toshinori sighed stood up. "Walking back to Tokyo doesn't sound appealing." He smiled wanly.
"Oh..." Inko's smile faded a little.
Inko couldn't help but too despair at the abrupt end of the moment she and Toshinori were sharing. While she had admitted to her sons she wasn't scared of confessing, she only told them a half-truth. She was more than willing to express her feelings, but was afraid that she wouldn't find the right moment to express them. And she had a golden oppurtunity right in front of her, but the window was closing, and closing fast. Inko knew it was all or nothing now, so she took her chance.
"Toshi, I wouldn't want to inconvienence you..." Inko said timidly. "But do you think you have enough time for me to give you something?"
Toshinori let go of the doorknob and turned around.
"For you, I can make time." Toshinori grinned.
"Good."
Inko stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Toshinori passionately. His eyes widened in surprise at the sudden move, but quickly reciprocated. Bliss, pure bliss was how they'd both describe it. The tenderness of the kiss, the warmth that subsumed them, the joy of connecting with one another. There was no better feeling in the world.
They seperated when the need for air overcame their need for each other. Toshinori and Inko pressed their foreheads together and basked in the moment. They looked at each other with an almost nervous energy, anticipating what the other would do next.
"Earlier today I was contemplating how my choices had led me to where I am today," Toshinori said. "And what I'd change if I could," He continued. "But now..." Toshinori seperated from Inko and tilted her chin up. "I realize I wouldn't change a thing."
Then he kissed her.
How's that for the end of a chapter? This chapter was a bit tricky for me to figure out. Cause I constantly returned to the issue of whether or not it was too soon to get Inko and Toshinori together. I still haven't fully dropped the question. But that is an issue for future me. Anyways, I continue to make good progress on the rest of the story, so hopefully a new chapter will be out within a couple of months, since my chapters are rather long. that is another question for you all. Which is better to read? A shorter chapter but uploads more frequent, or long chapters with a semi monthly upload. or would you prefer a mix between? As always, please be sure to share your review and comments. I do relish reading through them. Until next time, take care.
-TheWritersApprentice