ShuraZero
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Chapter 20: A Dinner at Home
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 22:32:15 +0000 UTCThe walk to the Midoriya home was a mosaic of city lights and nervous laughter. Izuku led the way, his backpack full of sand and notes, while Ochako, Momo, and Toga followed, each lost in her own thoughts. The Musutafu night was cool, and the salty scent of the sea still clung to their clothes after their training session on the beach.
Ochako walked with her hands in her pockets, glancing sideways at Toga. "I can't believe we're doing this," she muttered, just loud enough for Izuku to hear. "Deku, are you sure inviting her to your house is a good idea? I mean, she's… you know." She made a vague gesture toward the knife strapped to Toga's thigh.
Toga, with a sharp smile, answered before Izuku could even open his mouth. "Oh, relax, Zero Gravity. I don't plan on stabbing anyone tonight. At least not until after dessert!" Her laugh was a playful chime, but Ochako’s frown deepened, not entirely convinced.
Izuku held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Trust me, Uraraka. Toga's here to change. I saw her handbook, her Quirk… We can help her. And my mom… well, you'll see what she's like."
Ochako sighed, but her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Alright, Deku-kun. But if anything goes wrong, you're cleaning up the mess."
Momo, walking with her impeccable posture, chimed in with a calm voice. "Midoriya-san, your confidence is admirable, but Uraraka-san is right. The situation is… delicate. Is your mother prepared to host someone with Toga's history?"
Izuku smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes. "My mom is stronger than she looks. And she has a radar for people. You'll see."
When they arrived at the apartment, the aroma of katsudon and miso soup wrapped around them like a hug. Inko Midoriya opened the door before Izuku could even get his key out, her face lit up with a radiant smile. She wore a floral-print apron and her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, showing a vitality that instantly disarmed all three girls.
"Welcome!" Inko exclaimed, opening her arms wide. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you all! Come in, come in, dinner is ready."
Before they could react, Inko enveloped each of them in a warm, genuine hug. First was Ochako, who blushed at the embrace. "You must be Ochako-chan," Inko said, holding her by the shoulders. "Izuku talks so much about you. He says you have a huge heart and an incredible Quirk. Thank you for being his friend!"
Ochako, caught between surprise and shyness, stammered, "Th-thank you, Mrs. Midoriya. I… Deku-kun is amazing, too." Her cheeks were red, but a sincere smile graced her face.
Next, Inko turned to Momo, hugging her with the same warmth. "And you're Momo-chan, right? Izuku says you're a brilliant, elegant, and incredibly smart girl. U.A. must be so proud!"
Momo, unaccustomed to such direct affection, straightened up with a faint blush. "It's an honor, Mrs. Midoriya. Thank you for your hospitality."
Finally, Inko approached Toga, who took an instinctive step back, her hand brushing the handle of her knife. But Inko didn't hesitate. She hugged her gently, as if she were afraid of breaking her. "And you, Toga-chan… thank you for giving Izuku the chance to trust you. I know it can't be easy, but you're here. That says a lot about you."
Toga stood stiffly, her yellow eyes wide. No one, ever, had hugged her like that, with such a mix of tenderness and acceptance. "I… uh… thanks," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly. For an instant, her chaotic facade crumbled, revealing a vulnerable girl who didn't know how to process so much kindness.
"Come on, come in," Inko said, leading them to the dining room. The table was set with steaming plates of katsudon, a fresh salad, and a bowl of miso soup. "Sit down! I hope you're hungry."
Dinner began with shy laughter and the clinking of chopsticks. Inko, sitting at the head of the table, watched the girls with a mixture of curiosity and motherly pride. "So," she said, pouring more soup, "how did you all meet Izuku? I want all the details."
The three of them looked at each other, and an awkward silence fell over the table. Izuku, a piece of katsu halfway to his mouth, froze.
Ochako was the first to speak, her voice hesitant but determined to break the ice. "Well, I met Deku-kun during the U.A. entrance exam. I tripped, I was about to fall, and he… he helped me. Then, during the practical test, he literally saved my life. I wouldn't have passed without him." She paused, her gaze softening. "He gave me confidence when I needed it most. Although… to use his support Quirk, he had to, uh, touch me. It was an accident." Her face turned as red as a tomato.
Inko raised an eyebrow but nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Touch? How?" "On… on my chest," Ochako admitted, covering her face with her hands. "It was for his Quirk! Only for that!"
Momo, trying to maintain her composure, cleared her throat. "In my case, it was during an optimization training session. Midoriya-san analyzed my Quirk, Creation, and… there was also accidental physical contact for the analysis. It was effective, but… unexpected." Her tone was diplomatic, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
Toga, with a mischievous grin, couldn't resist. "Oh, my turn was more fun. In an alley, I tried to stab him, he took me down, and I ended up with my butt in his face. Then, to analyze my Quirk, he had to… well, you know, grab me a little. Pure science!"
Inko's smile froze. Her eyes landed on Izuku, who looked like he wanted to sink through the floor. "Izuku Midoriya," she said slowly, "is this seriously how you analyze your friends' Quirks?"
"It's for science, Mom!" Izuku exclaimed, waving his hands frantically. "My analysis Quirk needs physical contact! It's not my fault their Quirks are so… efficient in certain areas!"
Inko sighed, then let out a resigned laugh. "You're an adorable pervert, but a pervert nonetheless. Girls, you are all absolutely beautiful. I never thought my son would bring home one pretty girl, and now he's brought three! I'm impressed."
The three of them laughed, the tension dissipating. Ochako, still blushing, decided to speak up. "Mrs. Midoriya, really, thank you for this. Not just for dinner, but for… making us feel so welcome. Sometimes I feel like my Quirk isn't as impressive as Momo's or even Toga's. But being here, with Deku-kun and you, makes me feel like I can be more."
Inko took her hand tenderly. "Ochako-chan, your Quirk is wonderful because it's yours. And if Izuku believes in you, then so do I. You are strong, and you'll become even stronger."
Ochako smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you. That means a lot."
Inko turned to the others. "I train with Izuku too, you know. My Quirk, Minor Attraction, is simple: I attract small objects. But with his help, I'm learning to do more. Yesterday, I moved three marbles at once! It's not much, but to me, it's the world."
"That's amazing!" Ochako said, genuinely impressed. "Deku-kun is helping me get better control of my floating objects. Today at the beach, I made four rocks spin at once without getting dizzy. It's like he sees what we can become before we do!"
Momo nodded. "Midoriya-san has a unique talent for optimization. He's helping me create objects faster. It's… inspiring."
Toga, quieter than usual, fiddled with her fork. "He gave me a notebook with a plan to control my Quirk without… you know, so much blood. No one's ever done that for me before."
Dinner continued with lively conversation. Ochako shared stories from her childhood, how she dreamed of being a hero to help her parents. Momo talked about the pressure from her family to be perfect, and Toga cautiously mentioned a vague memory of when her Quirk isolated her from her friends. Inko listened, asking gentle questions and weaving an atmosphere of trust.
When the plates were empty, Inko leaned back in her chair. "So, girls, where do you live? I want to make sure you get home safe and sound."
Momo answered with her usual precision. "I live in the Aoyama district, Mrs. Midoriya. My family sends a car for me." "I live near the train station," Ochako added. "It's not far, I can take the subway."
Toga looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I don't have a home. I sleep wherever I can."
The silence that followed was heavy. Inko blinked, stunned, and then her expression hardened with determination. She stood up, walked around the table, and placed her hands on Toga's shoulders. "That ends today, Toga-chan. You're staying here. With us."
Toga looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What? No, I can't… I'm… It's dangerous! The police—"
"I don't care," Inko cut her off, her voice firm but warm. "You'll be safe here. No one enters my home without my permission, not even the heroes. You're Izuku's friend, and that's enough for me." She hugged her again, an embrace that dissolved Toga's last defenses. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly hid it.
Izuku, jaw agape, stared at his mother. "Mom? Are you sure?" "Completely," Inko replied. "Now, help clear the table."
Ochako and Momo, still processing the scene, smiled. "Your mom is incredible, Deku-kun," Ochako said, her voice full of admiration. "Now I get where you get that giant heart of yours."
Toga, still dazed, muttered, "I've never… I've never had a place like this."
Later, at the door, the girls said their goodbyes. Inko hugged each of them again. "Come back whenever you want. This house will always be open to you."
Momo bowed her head. "Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya. It's been an honor."
Ochako impulsively hugged Toga. "I guess you're not so bad," she said with a shy smile. "But if you try anything funny, I'll float you all the way to the moon."
Toga laughed, cautiously returning the hug. "Deal, Zero Gravity."
Momo insisted that her car give Ochako a ride home, and they both left with a cheerful wave. Izuku watched them go, feeling a warmth he couldn't quite explain. Back in the apartment, Toga stared at the empty table, Izuku's notebook still in her hands. Inko placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Toga-chan. I'll get the couch ready for you. Tomorrow, we'll buy you a proper bed."
Izuku smiled, his mind already planning the next training session. But for now, the apartment was full of life, laughter, and a new beginning. And that, he thought, was more heroic than any battle.
