Laura and Eri were mildly sweating bullets when Nemuri pulled up to Midoriya's apartment. Did Nemuri know what they did a few nights ago? Or rather what Laura did yesterday when she fled home to visit Midoriya at the school? They would hope not, and especially praying Nemuri didn't know about the former!

Eri looked at Laura and silently said, "She doesn't know, does she?!"

"I'm screwed if she does!" Laura said back with her own silence.

"Let's go, girls," Nemuri said, feeling rather nervous about this meeting.

Last night, Laura got a call from Midoriya on her phone, except it wasn't the boy, it was his mother. His mom, Inko, wanted to talk to Nemuri about the incident that involved her son and Nemuri's daughter.

On the one hand, Nemuri is feeling rather energetic and hopeful about this meeting. Nemuri had concluded that something was terribly wrong about the school's judgment and recount of the incident, and that meeting Inko was of importance! So, that Inko had called Nemuri first to meet was certainly a surprise!

On the other hand, Nemuri was keeping her doubts alive. For all Nemuri knew, this was a mother demanding to know more things regarding the incident. And maybe even serve her in person for her son's hospital fees and whatever trauma he must be going through. If this was the case, Laura and Eri would have to say goodbye to Izuku Midoriya, and the thought of that broke Nemuri's heart.

Nemuri, with a deep sigh to relax herself, switched off the car and exited it. Nemuri dressed in business casual for the occasion. Black high heels, tan trousers, brown leather belt, and a white blouse with an open blazer.

Eri and Laura didn't dress for the occasion as special as Nemuri did.

Eri wore red sneakers with a white 'Mirko' shirt and grey shorts.

Laura wore a dark blue 'Nightcrawler' t-shirt with black leather pants, a chain in her left pocket, and her custom black combat high boots. These were not the same black boots Nemuri bought. Where Laura got those boots, Nemuri didn't know, and she was kind of afraid to ask.

The trio of women walked up the stairs towards the Midoriya's home, with Nemuri in front and Laura in the back, holding Eri in her arms. When they reached the top steps, Laura set Eri on her feet as Nemuri rang the doorbell.

"Kids," Nemuri turned to them, "Remember to behave. This isn't our place."

Laura and Eri nodded, with Nemuri smiling at them before hearing the door open.

Standing before her, dressed in her usual attire, stood Inko Midoriya with a radiant smile that turned into surprise.

"Wait…you're her…" Inko spoke with her voice trailing off.

Nemuri, knowing this might happen, nodded her head and smiled warmly, "Adoptive daughters. No one knows." Nemuri looked around outside before speaking again, "You're the first outside a select few people who know and only because the gravity of the situation demands it."

"Oh, dear me…" Inko, feeling both honored and burdened, stood aside and invited the girls inside before closing the door behind them, "To think Midnight would be the mother I was going to speak to." Inko couldn't help but laugh a little. "Things got a little more interesting." Inko kept herself in check and guided them to the couch where Izuku was already sitting.

Izuku also wore a casual outfit. A white t-shirt that said 'shirt', black cargo pants, and his signature red shoes.

Upon seeing Izuku, Eri's eyes lit up immediately and she couldn't help herself but sprint to the older boy to give him a hug. Izuku, with a smile of his own, lifted Eri into his arms and hugged her back with equal amounts of happiness and longing.

The two mothers admired the scene while Laura walked over and leaned behind the couch with her elbows pressed into the cushion with a small smile on her face.

"I missed you!" Eri said, snuggling into Izuku.

"I missed you too," Izuku replied. "How have you been?"

"Great!" Eri happily said and looked between her adoptive mother and older sister. "Nemuri bought me a laptop, and it has a talking monkey!"

Izuku, not understanding what Eri was talking about, kept his smile and went along, "I bet that monkey keeps you entertained."

"And help me learn about Panama City," Eri quickly quipped as she watched Laura twitch her left eye. Eri looked at Laura and stuck her tongue out slightly as Laura had to force herself to not do anything, while Izuku looked on with an amused expression.

Nemuri shook her head with a tiny laugh, escaping her lips then looking to Inko, "Should the kids be present for this or do you want to talk privately?"

"Privately for now," Inko replied and turned to her son. "Izuku, sweetie, can you take the girls to your room? Miss Kayama and I will talk privately."

Izuku, with a nod, put Eri on her feet and got up from the couch, "Sure mom. Kayama, Eri, follow me!" Izuku led the sisters to his room whilst Nemuri and Inko got settled at the dinner table with a freshly brewed teapot and two cups already present.

Inko took a breath in and cut to the chase. "What did the principal tell you? Then what did your daughter tell you?"

Under normal circumstances, Izuku would be studied by chromatics about how his face created a new shade of red by bringing a girl of his age into his room. Sure, a young girl was also in attendance but it still counts with Laura! Regardless of Eri's involvement, the situation was anything but normal, regardless.

Upon entering his room, Eri and Laura noted the surrounding decor. All Might was everywhere from top to bottom. Posters, rugs that were pinned to the walls, curtains, plenty of open and sealed figures, signed memorabilia, and lots of little things like school supplies and such. There was even a poster above his bed, which was also All Might related.

"Welcome to my room," Izuku said with a flustered expression. Izuku walked over to his bed and sat on it as Eri and Laura continued to study the room. The abundance of All Might related items in Izuku's room left Eri in awe, while Laura couldn't help but feel utterly confused by the idolization of one person.

"The big guy is filling this room!" Eri giggled and held one of Izuku's figures. Internally, Izuku was screaming, but externally he was smiling.

"Yup!" Izuku said with lots of tongue biting, "He is my hero; my idol! I idolized him even before the day we all met!"

Eri put the figure down gently and turned her attention to Izuku. "My room will look like this in the future, but with you!" Eri proudly stated, making Izuku shuffle in his bed, both embarrassed and inspired.

With a smile, Izuku promised, "I'll give you the best items," and Eri's face lit up with pure joy. Izuku didn't care about the merchandise. Heck, he dreaded it, but he understood the values of it.

Laura walked over to Izuku's desk and planted herself on the desk instead of the chair. Izuku looked at her and lightly flushed red as Laura crossed her legs and leaned on her right arm. Laura smirked lightly and scanned the room again. "You're such a…what is the word…a geek?" Laura clicked her tongue, "Yeah, a geek."

Izuku laughed lightly as Eri hopped onto the bed to sit next to Izuku. Izuku wrapped an arm around Eri, with Eri snuggling into him. "A geek I am, but a lovable one, it seems. And I have proof right here." Izuku pointed to Eri with the young girl giggling and the older sibling replying with an eye roll.

"Yeah, yeah," Laura sighed and straightened herself. "What do you think they're planning? Obviously, they are talking about the incident at school."

Izuku mulled over the thought but concluded rather quickly, "Well, I told my mom the truth. I didn't hide any details, nor did I make up anything. I rebuke any lies that she was told, too. If I had to guess, they are planning on what to do next about the school, considering they lied to everyone." Izuku mumbled something under his breath for Laura to not hear, but forgot that Eri was next to him.

"Again?" Eri asked, repeating Izuku's quiet words.

Izuku nodded. "This wouldn't be the first time they lied, for Kacchan's sake. They do it all the time."

"Does anyone ever do anything about it?" The revelation left Laura feeling annoyed.

"No," Izuku replied and pursued, "Kacchan holds a certain prestige for the school. It's obvious he's going to be a Pro-Hero, so they protect him, hoping he brings a level of prominence to them in the future. Not to mention Kacchan scares them, too."

"And they just let that happen?" Laura found herself not being surprised by this school's cowardice and ignorance. "All because they hope to become popular by riding on a kid's success?"

"That's how most schools get famous," Izuku responded. "U.A High School became famous for developing a constant flow of Pro Heroes, with several generational heroes per graduating class, and at least one legendary hero almost every 10 years. All Might and Endeavor are examples of current legends that came from U.A High School." Izuku looked outside his window. "It's been like that since the beginning of modern schools several centuries ago with celebrities and sports figures."

"It doesn't make it right though," Laura retorted, "Allowing people to suffer, hoping to gain some value that might not even happen. It's selfish and stupid."

"I'm just telling you how it is," Izuku looked down at Eri and lightly ran his hands through her silver hair. The softness of Eri's hair made Izuku feel calmer. It was like touching a cloud.

Laura shook her head and slumped back onto her arm. Laura knew the school protected that imbecile, and hearing about it didn't make her feel any better. It infuriated her that the school would go to such lengths to protect their golden goose, hoping his success would rub off on them. They were a perfect match for each other. A self centered brat and his legion of yes-men.

"So, we have an accord?" Nemuri asked with her hand stretched out. Blast that geography section on that laptop of Eri's. It gave Nemuri a slight pirate lingo.

Inko shook Nemuri's hand with a firm grasp and nod, "We do. I will always believe my Izuku over anyone, and your daughter's story matches up perfectly with Izuku's. I can tell you believe the story, too."

The handshake ended with Nemuri looking down at Inko's last sentence, "Yeah…I made the mistake of not asking first, though."

Inko smiled and placed her hand on Nemuri's, "But one you rectified. You know the story because you asked. Her story. You wouldn't have known what Kayama knows if you hadn't asked her."

Nemuri looked at Inko with a conflicted expression, "Is being a mom ever…" Nemuri's head glanced downward as if she was saying something regretful.

Inko smiled at Nemuri. Nemuri, like any new parent, needed support. "Easy? Chaotic? Stressful? Fun?" Inko laughed lightly as Nemuri looked to her more experienced fellow parent, "The answer is: all of the above. Being a parent is the most loving yet stressful part of your life and it never ends, either." Inko took her tea into her hands and sipped from the cup with her eyes fixated on her beverage. "There has never been a day in my life where I didn't fear for Izuku's safety. A quirkless child in a world filled with quirks that keep getting more powerful than the last generation. My son's genetics held him back, but I would never ask for him to be different. He is more driven, compassionate, intelligent, and gifted than most people would ever give him credit for." Inko let out a weak laugh, "But with that comes risks. It's amazing how Izuku consistently finds new ways to convince me to never let him go outside. Fights, front row watching of heroes fighting villains…" Inko eyed Nemuri, "Sacrifice."

Nemuri felt a knot in her stomach. Did Inko know of the villain's attack? Did Izuku tell her he nearly sacrificed himself to save Eri and Laura from that sludge villain? Or was Izuku throwing himself in harm's way just something he normally does?

Inko continued with her eyes now moving to look past Nemuri, "Kayama, there will be days where you wish they could behave. They could do what you say to the letter. That they will do what needs to be done and do it right every time. There will be days you just wish they could be the perfect people. But they never will be." Inko looked Nemuri in the eyes with the wisdom only a parent could have, "They won't because they are their own persons and they will do what they want, and that's something every parent learns but some never adapt to. They will do things you don't like, they will disobey, they will fail. But at the end of it all, when the sun falls and the moon rises, and you say goodnight to them. You'll go to sleep loving them even more than you did when you woke up."

Inko smiled, shut her eyes, and leaned back into the chair. "It is difficult, but there will never be something more rewarding and loving than raising a child, or in your case, children."

Nemuri soaked in what Inko passed onto her and wandered into her own train of thoughts. It hasn't been easy. Not one bit. Although Eri is the better of the two and the more well-behaved of the duo, it's more because Eri follows what Laura says rather than what Nemuri says. It's not completely true, as Eri would follow Nemuri's requests, but if Laura says something, Nemuri's authority loses its power. It's hard to be a parent when Laura has been more of a parent to Eri than any adult ever has been.

Yet Nemuri wouldn't ask Laura to stop. She would never tell Laura to not be the older sister she had always been to Eri. Their relationship, forged through love, pain, suffering, and hope, was so strong that Nemuri wouldn't ask Laura to stop and no force on this planet could ever break that bond or even get in between it without being kicked to the curb. And Nemuri almost earned that firsthand.

It's going to be a long, egregious road to earn the title of 'Mother' to Eri and Laura, but Nemuri wouldn't have it any other way.

"So…do they know of 'Midnight'?" Nemuri snapped back to reality as Inko took a sip of her tea, "I don't mean to sound rude, but your hero persona has its…controversies."

Nemuri signed and sipped her own in stress, "Laura knows, but she says nothing about it. Eri does not know the fullest extent of who Midnight is outside of looks, and I plan to keep it that way. Neither of the girls had actually asked me about my Pro-Hero life or about my teaching duties at U.A High School and when I'll go back to work." Nemuri reached for the pot and refilled her tea, "I have been using all of my vacation days and additional paid time-off from the Hero Commission to settle the girls in before I go back to my hero and teaching duties. I made sure that on the first night when the girls went to sleep that I would make sure my professional life doesn't get in the way, at least for now."

Nemuri set the teapot down before placing her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her open hands wistfully, "I wanted to prove that I could raise children despite my reputation, but I never took into consideration how to tell them who Midnight really is! A sexy, flirtatious, sexual dominatrix who loves to make people fawn over her and relishes the attention with no shame in expressing her sexual thoughts or taking advantage, in a non-sexual way, of those caught in a trance! I love the attention so much I single-handedly forced the Hero Commission to install hero costume regulations!" Nemuri looked up at Inko with a pitiful expression. "Want to know the worst part? I don't want to change my hero persona either! How selfish is that?!"

Inko felt bad for the new mother. She flung herself into a situation she couldn't have fully thought through and now she faces one of her biggest hurdles. "I wish I could help," Inko said with a sigh, "But I am no hero, so I couldn't give you advice for that. As far as change goes, I had to change myself for Izuku. As a parent, you need to change your way of living to accommodate your child, and that's exactly what I had to do for Izuku. Just believe in yourself and in them. As long as you don't hide it, they'll understand. Hiding crucial things like this from them could only spell disaster when they find out." Nemuri could see Inko's eyes and smile betray her. Inko was struggling to keep her smile and her eyes on Nemuri. Was Inko hiding something from Izuku? Maybe, but that is not Nemuri's business.

Inko removed her hand and Nemuri sat up straight. "Thank you, Midoriya." Nemuri said, looking at her tea, "It's nice talking to a mom. I'm going based on what my parents did for me, but it will only get me so far. I needed that second opinion."

"You're always welcomed to stop by for advice or anything," Inko expressed, granting Nemuri a much needed invitation of support.

Nemuri smiled and nodded. "I would like that very much. Could I have your phone number? I can't always come here when I need advice."

Inko nodded back as Nemuri pulled out her phone and handed it to Inko. Inko added herself into Nemuri's contact list and passed the phone right back. If Inko were Izuku, she would be jumping with joy that she got to stay in touch with a hero personally. But Inko wouldn't be doing that because Inko wasn't befriending Midnight. She is befriending Nemuri Kayama, an adoptive mother of two girls who is looking for support in her efforts to be the best mom she can be for her new daughters.

While the parents continued their conversation in the kitchen, the trio of kids were sitting on Izuku's bed playing video games. Izuku and Laura were racing in Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch, and Eri was watching them with glee. The map was the Wii Rainbow Road, and Izuku, the experienced gamer that he is, bumped Laura off the map right as she was about to cross the finish line for the win.

Laura glared at Izuku in frustration, "Oh, go fu-"

Eri quickly chimed in with an adorable yet serious glare of her own, "Laura!"

Laura paused and simmered down, mumbling, "...fund your funeral."

Izuku glanced at Laura with a confused yet amused expression, "That's how you recover? More importantly, did you just get in trouble?" Izuku laughed as he watched his character, Mario, celebrate.

Laura put the switch controller down and glared at Izuku. "First off, screw you! And Eri's very keen I don't curse. At all."

"If I can't curse, you can't curse," Eri smiled happily, "And I've been watching Laura's language for one year now."

Laura eyed her little sister before lightly bopping her on her forehead. Eri, in a dramatic response, fell onto the bed, pretending to be dead.

"How could you?! She is now the deads!" Izuku gasped and spoke in broken diction.

"Had enough." Laura looked away with her eyes closed and applied the same dramatic effect as Eri. "Do you wanna be next?" Laura gave Izuku a side eye.

Izuku pondered and rubbed his chin before smiling, "Maybe!"

"Wasn't a no!" Laura jabbed Izuku in the chest. Izuku flopped hard onto his bed as the bedframe creaked.

Eri, now alive, sat up and fake cried, "HOW COULD YOU?! HE WAS SO YOUNG!"

"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DEAD!"

"I'M A GHOST!"

"SAYS WHO?!"

"MY SILVER HAIR AND PALE SKIN!"

Izuku laughed hard and sat up, "What is going on?!"

"I don't know!" Eri joined in the laughter as both fell onto the bed and continued their laugh. Laura let out a few snickers before her body couldn't take it and she joined in on the laughter fest and laid in between the duo.

It was hard for Izuku to fathom his good fortune. Being around people who appreciated him made him feel happier than ever before. Throughout his life, Izuku was constantly the subject of laughter, but finally experiencing laughter alongside others brought him immense joy and emotional stability.

As soon as the three kids calmed down, the door opened, with Inko and Nemuri walking in. The kids sat up attentively, looking at their respective mothers.

"Awww how cute," Nemuri smiled and held her hands together on her right cheek, "They're having so much fun. If only I had my phone ready."

"I do!" Inko, as if she has been preparing this her whole life, quickly snapped a photo of the three on her phone. Nemuri looked over Inko's shoulder and beamed with delight at the photo.

"Let me see!" Nemuri said as she looked at the picture. Izuku was blushing and glancing to the left; Eri was smiling at the camera, and Laura had a deadpan expression with her eyes looking past the camera. "It's perfect!" Nemuri said, causing Laura to roll her eyes. Inko sent the picture to Nemuri as the mothers gathered themselves to do what they originally came for.

"Kids," Nemuri started intending to address the elephant in the room, "Everything is fine. Ms. Midoriya and I had a very productive conversation and came to the same conclusion."

"We are going to further pursue this matter," Inko chimed in. Laura was happy to hear that things were going in the right direction. Eri was happy because Laura was happy, but Izuku seemed to be worried. Inko pressed on, "For now, Ms. Kayama and I are going to talk more to figure out our next steps because many things are not adding up."

"Like?" Laura asked, wanting to be filled in.

"Well, for one, the principal has been hiding a lot of the details," Inko explained. "Normally, when incidents like these happen, we are told who and what happened. This time, however, we were only told what happened. Even if your mother adopting you two was supposed to remain hidden, getting your name was at least the most I could have gotten."

"Another thing is saying that Midoriya getting hurt was an accident," Nemuri added in, "Clearly it wasn't."

Inko sighed loudly, "Really, it's mostly about why the principal is lying and hiding things. Don't worry about it, sweetie, we got it." Inko gave Laura a reassuring look. Laura, putting her trust in Izuku's mother, obliged with a nod. As long as Laura and Eri can continue to see Izuku and know that the parents are digging further into this, Laura will happily follow along.

"We have to go though," Nemuri looked at her watch, "I need to fill out documents. Eri has to study, and Laura needs to get her exercise in." The younger girls seemed a bit disgruntled by the news, but were glad they got to hang out with Izuku. Maybe they can do this again in the future!

The three got off the bed with Eri hugging Izuku one last time, and Laura and Izuku fist bumping. "See ya, Midoriya!" Laura said, as Eri followed.

"Bye Izuku!" Eri waved as the Kayamas left the room and soon the building.

Inko went out to go to the door to lock it, and right as Izuku left his room and into the living room, Inko looked at her son with a sudden shift in character.

"Why didn't you tell me Katsuki was bullying Laura?" Izuku froze, and that made Inko internally vexed. "You told me you said everything after I found out Laura was your friend, but you never told me this. Why?"

Izuku opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Izuku was having a panic attack inside because this can lead to a whole different conversation if he didn't say the right thing.

Izuku did not get the chance to say anything as Inko shook her head in disapproval, "Katsuki may be your best friend, Izuku, but you can't let him get away with something like that. There is no defending that, Izuku." Inko went to her room to work on her own documents as Izuku stood alone in the living room.

Izuku found himself trapped in a colossal lie, one that can lead down the road to Armageddon. His mom's words stung like a thousand hornets because of how truthful they were. Izuku didn't defend Katsuki, but he tried to let him walk away freely by leaving out important details.

Izuku couldn't stand the feelings anymore and quickly left the apartment.

Just around the corner, Inko watched Izuku lamenting his actions before leaving. Inko didn't know how much more she could take from Izuku's secrecy because hearing and seeing it is one thing, but silently defending it by not speaking up for a friend is another thing.

There may be a glitch, but another chapter has been posted. That one is twice as long.