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Ochako Uraraka’s heart was beating at the speed of light.
The task in front of her seemed daunting.
“It’ll be fine!” Izuku Midoriya’s words echoed in her mind at lunch yesterday. “My mom is the easiest person in the world to talk to.”
Of course he’d say that, she thought. She’s his mom.
The hot weather did not help. She wiped the sweat off her forehead as she made her way to the Midoriya residence to meet Izuku’s mom
Ochako had not formally introduced herself to Inko Midoriya. She glanced at her when Class 2-A brought Izuku back to U.A. High. She was too enveloped in saying farewell to her folks before Class A made their way to Troy for the final battle.
“What if… she doesn’t like me?” Ochako sadly asked Izuku as she nervously played with a bang of her hair. Her eyes seemed droopy with nerves.
“You’ll be okay, Uraraka.” he confidently assured her as he finished his rice. “I don’t think my mom has been this eager to meet anyone in her life… well, maybe me, but you know what I mean!”
Ochako sighed as she stirred her noodles aimlessly. “If you say so.” Her arms sagged like the noodles.
To say it had been a stressful time for Ochako lately would be an understatement.
Trying to get through to Himiko Toga in their battle was exhausting alone. She lost lots of blood when the morphing villain stabbed her in the stomach. She gave everything to get through to Himiko. While she did, Himiko sacrificed herself by sharing all of her blood with the wounded hero. She morphed into Ochako and performed the transfusion.
After all the empathy Ochako showed to Himiko, she wasn’t done talking with her. She wasn’t ready to see her go.
That by itself has given Ochako lots of emotional baggage. She played the facade for a while after the war. Thankfully, with the help of Izuku, she was able to let it all out. It still remains a struggle she often confides in Izuku. The weightless hero has already had difficulty in truly expressing how she feels. She never realized it until that talk they had at Troy after the war.
Speaking of Izuku, she finally did it. She confessed her feelings for him while getting through to Toga. After the war, the two had a heart-to-heart conversation at Takoba Beach where they laid it all on the table.
Izuku and Ochako were a couple, much to the expectation of their classmates (especially a certain acid hero).
With the war done and the ship sailing, Ochako decided her next task was to introduce herself to Inko. Easy enough, right?
Izuku’s eyes widened as he tried to reassure his downcast girlfriend, “Well, if you’re so nervous Uraraka, why don’t I tag along with you?”
Ochako looked up from her noodles with a soft smile. “Awww, thanks Deku. I really appreciate it,” she replied as she put her chopsticks down. Her eyes showed subtle determination. “I think this is something I need to do on my own though.”
“Are you sure?” Izuku asked with an innocent look in his eyes. “My mom isn’t a difficult person to talk to, but I’d be happy to help you in any way I can.”
“Yeah. I think so,” she answered as she returned to her rice. “If you come I might just hide behind you. That’s not the kinda person I wanna be, y’know? I want your mom to know you picked the right girl.”
“Okay, I understand!” Izuku jovially said. “Just so you know, my mom already thinks so highly of you. There isn’t much you could do to make her think less of you.”
“That’s really sweet of her,” Ochako softly replied as she took a drink of water. “I’m flattered by that, I really am. I want to demonstrate to her who I am and all I wanna be as a hero. It’s best for me to do that.”
“You got this, Uraraka!” Izuku leapt out of his seat. “You will have a wonderful time! Just imagine all the amazing food my mom got for you Not to mention you guys have similar quirks and you have similar personalities and-”
Ochako let out a soft chuckle as Izuku’s muttering went on. “Thank you, my Izuku.” At that moment it was reassuring to the zero gravity heroine.
She wished she retained that level of peace Izuku gave her at that moment. He always did a great job of grounding her when the need arose.
Yet, as she approached the apartment building, her stomach was in knots. She felt the sweat running down her cheek. The sun was relentless.
She made her way up the stairs. Her mind started asking all sorts of unreasonable questions. Will she like me? Will she understand my reasons for being a hero? Can I make Deku proud? What if she doesn’t want me to marry Deku?
Will I…. be good enough…? She felt a sensation coming down her cheek as she finished climbing the stairs. She assumed it was from the heat, but as she went to wipe it off, it felt more like a tear shed.
She stopped dead in her tracks as she finished climbing the stairs. Her eyes locked in at her feet. Does she dare turn back now? She didn’t want to let Izuku down, even if he understood her fear.
She felt a few more tears rolling down her cheeks. She was down to her knees. The weightless heroine once again felt the weight of the world crush her.
The emotional backlash of Himiko Toga’s death still resonated with her, even if she released the initial pain to Izuku.
Ochako has learned the dear price of grief. It sticks closer than a shadow and remains with you for the rest of your life. Even if Himiko was an enemy, she was a dear friend to Ochako. Her story resonated with her.
Ochako missed Himiko dearly. She wanted to talk more with her. She did not know how Inko would judge her, even if Izuku has repeatedly claimed his mom’s high remarks of the heroine.
As her tears soiled the hardwood hallway floor, she slowly rose up and tried gathering herself. She gathered resolve as she made her way down the hall to the Midoriya home. This is nonsense, she thought. Deku said it himself. She’s looking forward to meeting me and there’s little I could do to sway her thinking!
Something began to strike Ochako’s mind amidst the internal noise of this moment. She could hear obscenely loud bawling as she made her way over to the Midoriya residence.
The wailing had her thinking, That reminds me of all the times Deku cried waterfalls. Surely he’s not-
The obscenely loud crying quelled her thoughts to a screeching halt.
“It sounds feminine, sooooo it can’t be Deku,” she quipped.
Ochako was at the door. She had difficulty motioning her hand to knock. Her fear combined with the loud bawling were too much. Her heart was beating a mile a minute out of her chest.
Her hand moved to knock before she could think. “Helloooo?” her voice shakily uttered.
The wailing got louder. Ochako backed from the door slightly
Before she knew it, the door swung open and barely missed the heroine’s face. There in front of her stood Inko.
She was on her knees. Her eyes were spewing water as if they were two hoses. Her limbs were motionless. The only muscles she could exercise were her tear ducts.
“I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. “MY BABY HAS A GIRLFRIEND!”
Her tears created a puddle around her. Ochako was taken aback, but reminded herself of Izuku’s calming words.
Just so you know, my mom already thinks so highly of you. There isn’t much you could do to make her think less of you!
Amidst the endless crying, Ochako knelt to the soggy floor and put her hand on Inko’s shoulder.
“Hi, Mrs. Midoriya,” her voice was reeking of anxiety. “I’m.. Ochako Uraraka, if you didn’t know that already!” she laughed as she tried to shake the nerves. Her face was bright red because of the sweltering heat.
Inko’s crying stopped. She noticed the gravity heroine was nervous. The hand with which she reached out to her was shaking. Her eyes and cheeks were red due to the crying. The girl was having a tough time facing what was uncertain.
Inko gathered herself and stood up amidst her boisterous waterfall of tears. Her left arm motioned to Ochako, putting it around her back. She drew Ochako in with the other arm and gave her a hug.
“There there, sweetie. You look like you had it rough,” Inko said softly to her. “Why don’t I boil us some tea?”
Ochako’s eyes were square on Inko’s shoulder. She felt the warm embrace akin to her own mother.
“Thanks…” she shakingly replied to Inko. “That would be wonderful.”
Inko made her way into the kitchen while Ochako took a seat in the living room.
“I ordered sushi and mochi for dinner tonight,” Inko said. “Izuku told me mochi is a favorite of yours, so I thought I’d make you feel at home!”
Ochako could hear the clanging of the plates and silverware. “Do you need help?” she questioned Inko.
“You’re fine sweetheart!” Inko answered in a reassuring tone. “You’re my guest.”
Ochako sighed and leaned forward. She placed her hands on her cheeks and her elbows on her knees. In front of her on the coffee table was a picture of a younger Izuku in his All Might costume. He was holding his right fist in the air as he attempted to recreate the former number one hero’s fiery charisma.
Her eyes locked in on it as if it was the only thing in the room. Her mind fell adrift thinking about Izuku.
“Hey, Ochako?” Inko tapped her shoulder a few times much to the gravity hero’s oblivion.
Ochako was startled. She didn’t realize she fell into such a deep trance. Inko was behind the couch with a cup of tea in each hand. They were small white mugs with a beautiful cherry blossom pattern interlaced around the top.
“Here, I made green tea for each of us,” she said as she gave a mug to Ochako.
“Thank you so much,” the heroine shyly replied as she slowly took a sip. The tea was piping hot off the pot. She did not want to burn her tongue. It was refreshing nonetheless
“So…” Inko inquired as she made her way around the couch to sit at Ochako’s side. “It’s an honor to finally get to talk with you. I am thrilled to have you here.”
“Thanks,” Ochako said with a chuckle, placing the tea down in front of her. “The pleasure is all mine!”
Inko continued to analyze Ochako’s body language. Her face was starting to cool down thanks to the air conditioning, but her eyes and smile exuded fear and doubt.
Unbeknownst to Inko, It was the face of a hero battered down by the war and her past. It had all been coming down on Ochako since the war ended, and the idea of getting together with his lover’s mom reminded her only of past hurts.
Inko scooted next to her, placing her left arm around her. “You’re safe here, you know that right? No need to be afraid.”
“Yeah…” Ochako put her hands on her cheeks once again and took a deep sigh. “I just wanna make you feel proud for your son y’know? That he chose the right girl.”
Inko put a tighter embrace around her arm and lovingly looked into her eyes, “I am already proud. Izuku has spoken glowingly about you. The feat you showed in the war seemed so admirable. I also watched the Sports Festival and saw you give it your all against Bakugo. In my eyes I see a girl who is a fiercely loving hero willing to give it her all for everyone’s happiness.”
Inko chuckled, “You and Izuku are similar in so many ways, which is why I think you both make a great couple. You two are the beacons of hope in a rebuilding society.”
“I understand you are deeply hurting inside because of losing that girl you tried to save. I know the aching in your heart is massive. Izuku told me he’s dealing with the same thing with the man he defeated, which I’m sure you are aware of.”
Ochako slowly rose from her position, looking innocently into Inko’s eyes.
“I appreciate your comments,” the gravity hero spoke softly. “I love Deku so much. He inspired me to be the hero I am today. One that never gives up and always smiles. But-”
Ochako could feel the tears welling up in her eyes once again as her head hung in shame.
“I just wish I could have saved Himiko, y’know? She had so much left to give this world and I can’t help but feel I failed.”
The tears started dropping on the floor. Inko rubbed Ochako’s back to empathize with the young heroine. She inched closer once again and embraced her.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” Inko said. “I can’t fix your hurt, but you are still a hero in my eyes. The tremendous heart and spirit you showed in getting to her was so admirable. I know it hurts you couldn’t save her, but the best thing you can do is live out her memory.”
Ochako continued crying and exclaimed, “Your words are appreciated, but I still can’t help but beat myself up for not saving her!”
Her tears started becoming a small puddle below her.
Inko put both arms around Ochako and hugged her tightly. The crying remained steady and quiet, but the tears poured out.
The quiet and stillness remained a few more moments as Ochako faintly struggled to put her arms around Inko.
“You know, you can confide in me whenever,” Inko mentioned. “I’ll be happy to give you my phone number if you need to text or call. Do you have anyone at school you’re talking to about this?”
Inko rushed to grab tissues from the dining room table to give to Ochako to wipe the tears away and blow her nose.
“No, not yet,” Ochako replied as she wiped the tears. “Deku keeps telling me to do it, but I feel so busy with studies and this new relationship with him. We’re still so busy with cleanup of the city it’s so hard to make time for that.”
“It’s just so hard… I wanna do something about it, but the life of a hero is so busy!”
Inko let out a deep sigh. “I’ve been trying to tell Izuku the same thing - the best heroes take time for themselves. ”
Ochako’s eyes locked toward Inko.
“Izuku told me he was really inspired by your mantra, ‘When heroes are most in danger, who will be the ones to protect them?’”
Ochako blushed at the very notion. She turned red each time she heard that from her boyfriend.
“But I tell you this,” Inko said as put her hand on the heroine’s shoulder.
“If the heroes don’t make time for themselves, how will they protect those that need saving?”
Ochako looked toward the coffee table again, staring off in the distance. She saw the inactive television. Above it was a framed selfie of her and Izuku taken at Yuga Aoyama’s farewell party.
If I wanna live a joyful life with Izuku… she thought. What do I need to do?
She turned toward Inko once more, and said determinedly, “I’ll do my best, Mrs. Midoriya! You can count it! No matter what it takes, I will get the help I need.”
Inko was taken aback by the fiery response of Ochako, more so by how sullen she had been acting since entering her home. She cracked a smile and replied, “That isn’t too far from how Izuku would have responded. For that I’m happy.”
She continued, “You two are going to do so much to change this country and society for the better. I’ll be cheering for you both every step of the way.”
“I’ll make you proud, ma’am,” Ochako wore the smile that amazed Inko at the Sports Festival. “I hope I can be a worthy girlfriend of the world’s savior.”
“Ochako…” Inko said as she sipped her tea. “You already are.”
Ochako said, “But… aren’t you afraid of how my quirk could hurt Deku?”
“Absolutely not!” she proudly exclaimed at the top of her lungs .
Ochako felt her heartbeat accelerate a bit. I can see where Deku gets his passion from!”
“I may not know you super well yet, my darling, but let me assure you - I trust you with my baby, as hard as that might be. Let’s not forget that speech you made to bring him back to U.A. in the midst of a hostile mob!”
Ochako blushed again. She played with her bangs in embarrassment.
“Ochako, I don’t know where you got this notion from, but please hear me when I say - it is an honor to have you be Izuku’s first girlfriend. I can’t wait to see how you two blossom and grow as a couple, get married, and have childr-”
Inko stopped herself. She couldn’t contain the excitement of her baby boy experiencing those milestones of life.
There were a few moments of silence. Both women looked at each other with innocent suspicion. They were interrupted by the doorbell.
The food had arrived.
“Oh, excuse me Ochako,” Inko motioned to the door to receive the food.
Ochako had feelings of excitement, but she was still nervous inside.
She thought, Wow, she really wants me to marry Deku? And have kids with him? I know that’s a long way away, but..
Inko walked back into the living room full of glee, “Let’s dig in!”
The two each helped themselves to scrumptious sushi and mochi. They would help themselves to more green tea as well.
The two laughed about Inko’s rambling about the future of their relationship. Before they knew it, the conversation started to roll on.
Inko asked Ochako about why she wanted to become a hero. She wanted to know her journey to U.A. She inquired about the big moments in her time at the school - the sports festival, fighting the Shie Hassakai, bringing Izuku back to U.A. with her speech, reaching out to Himiko. She wanted to know everything from her perspective.
It all came and went in a flash.
Inko then posed the question of what the heroine wants to do with her life going forward now the war has concluded.
“I dunno, that’s a great question,” Ochako replied when Inko posed this question to her. “Obviously I wanna be with Deku. We’re in it for the long run. We’re not rushing into marriage, but that’s the idea! I’m never gonna let him go for anyone!” Her hands formed into two fists. She was going to follow Izuku into hell if he asked her to.
Inko glistened as bright as the sun. She was over the moon. She was in for the long haul.
Ochako put her utensils down as she thought about something else that tugged on her heartstrings.
“I wanna help people like Himiko who struggle with their quirks,” she said with silent determination. “If she had a system in place where she was cared for, maybe she wouldn’t have been the person she was.”
Inko saw a bit of sadness deep in Ochako’s eyes, but was delighted to see her strive to change the society in ways that would make Himiko Toga proud.
“However you go about it, I’m sure you’ll do your best my dear!” Inko exclaimed as she worked through her plate.
“Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya,” Ochako was humbled by those words. “Do your best” has become the very catchphrase her and Izuku use to spur each other on.
It was another moment of silence as they munched on their plates. Ochako looked intently at her plate. The food was delicious. It was the best mochi she had.
Before she knew it, Inko posed another question to her.
“Say, Ochako?” Inko inquired of the gravity hero.
Ochako looked up. She was puzzled as she slowly nodded. What could she be asking about next? We already talked a good bit about why I’m a hero and my time at U.A. What now?
She continued in a curious tone, “You asked me earlier if I was afraid you would use your quirk to hurt Izuku. You seemed to be a bundle of nerves when you first walked in here.”
“I gotta ask, what made you think I’d be so distrustful of you?”
Ochako was taken aback by Inko’s direct question. Her eyes shuffled to the side in shame, her eyelids half-open in sadness.
“This isn’t something I talk to anyone about, not even Deku,” Ochako started explaining.
Inko leaned in as her forearms were placed firmly on the table.
“I had my fair share of crushes as a kid,” Ochako said, sporting a soft, quaint smile. She was looking down at her hands and twiddling her thumbs.
“There were a decent number I liked throughout my middle school years. One by one, they wanted to approve of me through their mothers. It was only common courtesy, right?”
Ochako stopped in her tracks, pausing for a few moments. Her smile turned indifferent as her eyes slowly moved up to Inko. Her eyes seemed to echo the scars these incidents had on her.
She resumed, “But with each passing boy, they would ask me of my quirk. I explained it each time, and the result was the same - I would never see that boy again. I’m not sure if they moved or they just did a great job of hiding from me. It had to be at least five times.”
Inko’s eyes started to turn sad and empathetic.
“I’ve never used my quirk to hurt people,” the heroine continued. “I only used it to help people out and make society a better place. My parents even told me as a toddler I helped them with any heavy object that needed lifting around the house.”
“I told this… to those mothers… almost to tears,” Ochako choked over her words. “They never believed me.”
Ochako leaned back in her seat, her hands on her face. She closed her eyes to hold back the pain that was unfairly dealt to her. Inko motioned to her side of the table to comfort her.
“I would burst home crying to my parents each time. They did their best to comfort me, believe me they did. It was reported to the school, but they could never get in touch with the boy or mother in question. The school offered me counseling, but it was for a fee we couldn’t afford.”
Inko was there at Ochako’s side, knees to the ground and hugging her again, just like on the couch when the heroine cried earlier.
Ochako took her hands off her face and spoke, “It’s probably why I’ve become so good at pushing my feelings down, “Sure, it helped when I had to push down my feelings for Deku during the provisional license arc, but it wasn’t unfamiliar to me. I hope Deku and the present counseling can help me with that, but even still…”
Ochako stopped in her tracks, her head hung in shame and tears staining the floor once more. Inko continued to be there.
“Forgive me, Mrs. Midoriya,” Ochako said through tears. “I’m sorry for this sob story. I don’t mean to make you feel empathy for me. This is why I was a little slow to believe you truly wanted Izuku to be with me.”
“I promise… I would never… do anything… to hurt your son…” words came slow to Ochako as she started to pour out more tears from her eyes.
“I wanna… be… a hero… who looks out for everyone… the heroes… the villains… and everyone in between… That’s what this society needs.”
Ochako motioned to her right and got off the chair into Inko’s arms, her head in her shoulder. The crying started once more, and Inko was there to assist her. The heroine felt too weak to carry on any form of conversation. There were only tears left for her to express.
The house fell silent for what felt like forever. Ochako wailed loudly from the scars given to her. Inko went between stroking her hair and rubbing her back. She offered no words, just calming actions to settle the young heroine’s mind.
After a long time of comfort, Inko uttered, “I love you, Ochako Uraraka. I am so, so thankful to have you in my life now. I am overjoyed you are the girlfriend of my baby Izuku. You have given him so much joy. Your heart is astounding and just like his - a willingness to help anyone at any time no matter the circumstance.”
She lifted the heroine’s head to look at her. Her unchecked emotions left her eyes drenched in tears. Her cheeks sported the dryness of the tears she previously released. Her face fell back onto Inko’s shoulder.
Inko began to pick Ochako up. She was exhausted from all the wailing. Her eyelids could barely stay open.
She took her to Izuku’s room and laid her down, covering her up with his blankets and laying her on his soft pillow.
Inko went back to the kitchen to start cleaning up dinner. She grabbed her phone to call her son.
It was about ten seconds before Izuku picked up, “Oh, hey mom! How’s dinner going? Is Uraraka okay?”
“Oh yeah, she’s fine,” Inko reassured him. “I understand you don’t need to be at the dorms every night due to the war, but could you let Mr. Aizawa know she’s staying with me tonight?”
“Definitely,” Izuku said. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Is everything okay?”
“She had… a lot to get out,” Inko wasn’t sure how to explain. “She’ll probably tell you at some point.”
“No worries,” Izuku responded. “I’m glad to hear. She’s been really struggling emotionally since the war ended. I’m glad she trusts you enough to confide in you. Maybe she can take the free counseling U.A. is offering to us?”
“She made it clear that she will do that,” Inko said.
“Good,” Izuku said. “If she wakes up, tell her I love her and I’ll see her when she returns.
“Absolutely, my baby,” Inko approved. “I’ll call you in the morning and let you know when she’s on her way.”
“Thanks, mom.” he said. “I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.” Inko said as she hung up.
Ochako stayed asleep through the night. She woke up in the morning, had some breakfast, and made her way out, but not before giving Inko a hug and thanking her for her hospitality and empathy.
“Anytime you need to talk, I am here.” Inko assured her as she gave her a slip of paper. “This is my phone number. I promised I’d give it to you!”
“Thanks!’ Ochako exclaimed. She was in a much brighter mood this morning, her eyes and smile radiating with confidence. “I’ll see you later, Mrs. Midoriya. You take care!”
“You too, sweetie,” Inko replied as Ochako made her way out the door. She waved until she could not see her anymore.
Those two are gonna do great things for our society, Inko thought as she stopped waving. I can’t wait to see how it blossoms.