Chapter 4: A Brighter Morning
Inko POV
The kitchen smelled of miso and toasted bread, a cozy warmth filling the air as I set the bowls on the table. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching the steam rising from the soup, and I couldn't help but hum a little tune. My heart felt light—lighter than it had in years. Izuku sat across from me, his green hair a messy tangle, spoon in hand as he poked at his breakfast. My boy. My little miracle. He'd awakened his Quirk today, and I still couldn't quite believe it.
I slid a plate of toast his way, smiling as I stirred my own soup. "How're you feeling now, sweetie? Any better ?"
He glanced up, those big eyes meeting mine, and gave a small nod. "Yeah, Mom. A lot better. Thanks for the soup."
"Oh, it's nothing!" I said, waving a hand. "You need something warm after all that excitement. Floating desks and crashing books my goodness, Izuku, I'm so proud of you!" I beamed at him, my chest swelling. He's got a Quirk. After all this time, he's got one. The thought danced in my head, bright and bubbly. I'd just gotten off the phone with Hisashi, practically bouncing as I told him the news, and Izuku had been right there, talking to his dad too. It felt like a dream a good one, for once.
Izuku smiled, a little awkward and took a sip of his miso. "It's still kinda weird," he said. "I didn't think I'd ever… you know, get one."
"Well, you did, and it's wonderful!" I leaned forward, resting my chin in my hands. "Your dad's over the moon, you know. Keeps saying he can't wait to see you try it out when he gets back. I bet he'll want to show off his fire tricks too!"
"Yeah, he sounded excited," Izuku said, his voice soft. He nibbled at the toast, eyes flicking to the side like he was thinking hard about something.
I watched him, my smile softening. He's still processing it, I thought. Of course he is. It's a big change. But oh, how it changed everything for me too. I'd always known he was special, Quirk or no Quirk, but seeing him like this finally with a piece of himself to hold up against the world it lifted a weight I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. All those times I'd seen him come home quiet, his backpack scuffed, his shoulders hunched… I knew what was happening. The bullying. He never said a word about it, my brave boy, but a mother knows. The way Katsuki Bakugo and those other kids sneered at him, called him "Deku" like it was a curse it broke my heart every time I overheard it at the park or saw the dirt on his knees he'd brush off before I could ask.
I took a sip of my soup, then set the spoon down, my mind shifting to the day ahead. "Oh, Izuku," I said, clapping my hands together. "We need to get you ready after breakfast. You've got your Quirk evaluation and registration today!"
Izuku blinked, his spoon pausing midair. "Oh. Right." He nodded, like he'd just remembered something important, and went back to eating, a little faster now.
"We can't wait on this," I added, my voice bubbling with excitement. "They'll need to see what you can do, update your ID, it's all official now! You're really on your way, sweetie."
"Yeah, okay," he said, finishing his toast with a quick bite. "I'll get ready."
He almost forgot, I thought, chuckling to myself as he pushed his bowl aside and stood up. Well, it's a lot to take in. I watched him head upstairs, his steps quicker than usual, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going through that head of his. For me, this was a miracle my boy finally shining. For him? Maybe it was the start of something even bigger.
He came back down not long after, fresh from a bath, his hair still damp but neater, dressed in a clean shirt and shorts. I'd already called a cab, and soon we were out the door, the morning air crisp as we climbed in. The ride to Dr. Sato's clinic wasn't far just a few streets over in Musutafu but I kept stealing glances at Izuku, who stared out the window, lost in thought. Probably nervous, I mused. Or excited. Maybe both.
The clinic was small, tucked between a bakery and a flower shop, with a sign reading "Sato Quirk Assessment" in cheerful blue letters. Dr. Hana Sato greeted us inside, her dark hair pulled into a tidy bun, her white coat crisp. "Good morning, Midoriya family!" she said, her voice warm. "I hear we've got a new Quirk to register today."
"Yes!" I said, practically bouncing. "Izuku just awakened it today it's been a whirlwind!"
Dr. Sato smiled, adjusting her glasses. "Well, let's see what we've got. Izuku, come with me to the exam room, alright? Mrs. Midoriya, you can join us."
We followed her into a bright, open space with padded walls and a few targets on stands. She handed Izuku a clipboard with a form. "First, we'll do a basic check height, weight, vitals. Then you'll show me your Quirk. Sound good?"
Izuku nodded, standing still as she measured him 130 centimeters, 31 kilograms, all the usual numbers. My little boy was growing, even if he still looked so small to me. Then she stepped back, pen poised over her notes. "Alright, Izuku. Whenever you're ready, show me what you can do."
He took a deep breath, then held out a hand. A pencil on her desk wobbled, then lifted into the air, floating steady. I gasped, clapping my hands. "There it is! Just like yesterday!"
"Telekinesis," Dr. Sato said, scribbling quickly. "Nice control for a first day. Anything else?"
Izuku hesitated, then glanced at me. I nodded encouragingly, and he turned back, opening his other hand. A flicker of orange sparked, then steadied into a small fireball, hovering above his palm. My jaw dropped. Fire?
"Dual Quirks?" Dr. Sato said, her eyebrows shooting up. "Well, that's a surprise! Fire manipulation too let's test it. Can you aim at that target?" She pointed to a metal disc across the room.
Izuku flicked his wrist, and the fireball sailed forward, hitting the target with a soft ping. The metal smoked faintly. I stared, my heart racing. Two Quirks? From me and Hisashi?
"Incredible," Dr. Sato said, jotting more notes. "Mrs. Midoriya, did you expect this?"
"No!" I laughed, my voice shaky. "I thought it was just my telekinesis, but fire, that's his father's side! Oh, Hisashi's going to love this!"
She smiled, turning to Izuku. "You're an Emitter type, no question. Dual abilities telekinesis and fire manipulation. I'll classify it as 'Telekinetic Flame' for now, unless you've got a name in mind?"
"Uh, that's fine," Izuku said, scratching his head.
"Good. We'll update your ID soon should be processed in a week. You're all set." Dr. Sato handed me a pamphlet on Quirk safety, still smiling. "He's got a lot of potential."
The cab ride home was quiet, Izuku fiddling with the pamphlet while I buzzed beside him. Two Quirks, I kept thinking, stealing glances at him. My little boy's a marvel. We stepped back into the house, the morning still young, and I couldn't stop smiling.