֎֎֎ A few minutes earlier… ֎֎֎
Izuku, at that moment, was surprisingly calm. Even though he was lying on a stretcher, his arm "apparently" broken and under mandatory rest — despite his insistence that he was in perfect condition — the atmosphere was strangely peaceful. There was no annoying crowd noise, the bed was comfortable enough to fall asleep on for a good while, and, as a final touch, he had a television at his disposal to distract himself by watching the matches, part of the festival's events. It was an unbeatable opportunity to rest during those two hours in solitary peace.
—Alright, open your mouth. Say "aaaaah"
Or it would have been… if it weren't for the fact that Professor Midnight was sitting beside him, feeding him spoonfuls of miso soup with a delicacy that, rather than comforting, was starting to worry him.
—Miss Midnight… —Izuku murmured calmly, but he'd barely gotten the word out when she took the chance to slip another spoonful into his mouth.
—Well… since you won't call me mom —she remarked, staring at him fixedly with a forced smile—, at least call me Nemuri. Better to skip so much formality, don't you think? —she added with a wink before offering him another spoonful.
Izuku sighed faintly, resigned. Well was a better option.
—Well… Nemuri. I appreciate your kindness in taking care of me, and this soup, I admit, is delicious. But, don't you think you should be getting back? You're the professor in charge of supervising the competition. You shouldn't be here, looking after a student who is, honestly, perfectly fine…
He couldn't finish the sentence. He was immediately silenced by another spoonful she pushed into his mouth firmly, looking at him with severity, as if he'd just said something outrageous.
—Young man, you were hurt, and even if you have a face that shows no pain, your arm took a brutal impact. You need nutrients, rest, and monitoring after Recovery Girl's kiss. So I'll stay here, giving you the care you need. No complaints. Understood? —she said firmly, though her voice faded at the end, letting out a small sigh as she lowered her gaze—. And… please, I don't want to leave you alone. I don't want… —she added this time in a more subdued tone, almost sad, as if by saying it she was releasing something she'd been holding onto for a long time.
Those words, so different from the dominant tone she usually used, immediately caught Izuku's attention. There was something in the way she spoke, in the way she looked away, and in the shadow forming in her eyes, that stirred his curiosity. It wasn't simple worry. It seemed something deeper, as if what had happened in the hallway still weighed on her shoulders and she couldn't forgive herself for what she'd witnessed. Izuku stayed silent for a few seconds, before settling more comfortably into the bed, watching her more closely. He could already see the tears slowly gathering at the corners of her eyes. Small, silent, but sincere.
—There's something I can't quite understand about you, Miss Nemuri —he said calmly but seriously, without looking away from her face—. Why so much dedication to taking care of just me? —he noticed that comment surprised her—. You're an energetic, decisive person. You have a provocative attitude that you know how to use skillfully to draw attention and destabilize enemies, and you don't hesitate to flirt or joke with the students or the audience. But even with that personality, you've always shown professionalism. You help whoever needs it, without distinction. You've never shown favoritism. You've never shown real closeness to anyone… except me.
He fell silent for a moment, letting the words settle before continuing.
—Is it out of pity?... There are many other students with darker pasts, with real wounds, marked by more evident suffering than mine. Many of them need far more support than I would ever ask for. So tell me… what's the difference between them and me?
Nemuri didn't answer right away. Izuku's words had caught her off guard, that much was clear from the way her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn't expected such clarity in the question. But it only took her a few seconds to recompose herself. Her expression changed; her eyebrows relaxed and her gaze, previously affected by guilt and discouragement, took on a firmer, more determined tone. Carefully, she brought both hands to Izuku's face and, with unexpected tenderness, pulled him closer to hers without taking her eyes off him.
—Miss… Nemuri? —Izuku murmured, slightly nervous, surprised by the sudden closeness.
—I'll tell you three reasons why I do this. The first… —she began, without looking away from his eyes— I'm not doing it out of mere curiosity. I do it because you're fascinating, Izuku. You're striking. There's something about you that stirs my heart, that lights something inside me, and I don't mean desire — I mean that spark that rarely appears in people… that fire that makes me want to see you reach the top, see you go further than you yourself imagine.
—I expected that one, heh —Izuku looked away slightly, visibly embarrassed. But as soon as he did, Nemuri gently placed her fingers on his cheek and turned his face back toward her, forcing him to maintain eye contact.
—The second reason… —she continued, lowering her tone a bit—, I don't do it out of pity. Never. I've seen your history and your life with Izumi with my own eyes. I know you endure all that hell you carry out of love for your sister. Many would have already given up, would have fled, would have broken down, or worse, would have surrendered to hatred and revenge. But not you. You chose to stay. You chose to keep going, carrying all of that, but without separating from her. You decided to become stronger not out of rage… but out of affection. And that, Izuku… that's something not just anyone can do. And the third… —she whispered, this time in a softer voice, almost maternal— I don't know for certain. I can't quite explain it. But when I see you, when I listen to you, when I watch you walk with that invisible weight on your shoulders… I feel like I have to be near. That I have to help you, protect you, be there for you no matter what you've been through or what secrets you're hiding. It's as if, without having decided it, my instinct tells me I have to take care of you… the way a mother would with her son. I just want… to see you happy.
Having said that, Nemuri gave a warm, sweet smile, free of her usual mischief. She leaned in gently and placed a kiss on Izuku's forehead, before wrapping him in a tender embrace, one of those that don't seek comfort or explanations, but simply offer some peace. And in that instant, Izuku fell silent. Not out of discomfort, but from the sudden warmth of that gesture, from the feeling of affection that, though unexpected, felt strangely familiar. For a moment, he thought he could let himself relax, unwind during that time of rest.
—Izuku-kun, we're here! What happened to you, my sweet an—?!
Of course… it would have been, if it weren't for the fact that the three people who knew exactly what was going on with his situation decided to arrive faster than any piece of news.
—Rei, Eri, Hinpan, good to see you, gi— —he replied calmly, but he couldn't finish the sentence, because Rei had already hugged him so tightly that she wasn't letting him pull his face away from her cleavage.
—Izuku-kun, when I found out you were in the infirmary, I had to come right away. I'm glad nothing serious happened to you —she said in a calm, honeyed voice, squeezing him even more, maintaining her mature charm. Izuku was already completely flushed, though he tried not to show it.
—Rei, don't worry… nothing happened to me, remember I'm resilient, I can't be hurt that easily. And even though they think I'm "injured," don't worry, because Miss Nemuri brought me and…
—And who might you be, ma'am? —Nemuri interrupted with a tense smile, pulling him firmly toward herself and now pressing him against her chest—. And what's your relationship with Izuku-kun?
—Oh, I'm sorry, allow me to introduce myself —Rei replied without losing her composure, pulling Izuku back into her cleavage with the same force—. I'm Rei Himura… and you could say Izuku and I are very, very close.
She finished her sentence with a smile completely devoid of warmth; her hands as cold as her tone.
—How interesting —Nemuri replied, her lips curving with restrained mischief—. So you're his guardian. It's curious… Izuku carries your last name, though you're not related, isn't that right, Mrs. Himura?
—That doesn't matter much —Rei answered, unfazed—. Our closeness goes beyond paperwork. If anyone deserves to give him her name, it's me. We've shared more than you can imagine.
Izuku was starting to get trapped between the two of them, growing redder by the second.
—My, Miss Rei, that comment could be misinterpreted in a questionable way. As his professor it's my duty to look after him… guide him as best I can on mature matters. Isn't that right, my dear? —Nemuri whispered, tightening her grip.
—Ara, ara, is this coming from the +18 hero Midnight? The same one who teaches in provocative outfits and language that incites the opposite sex quite a bit? You're hardly a model of professionalism.
A vein began to show on Nemuri's forehead.
—Well, at least I have experience… Though I would have thought that you, being an older lady than me, would already have more "wisdom" accumulated.
—Ara, ara… so you're younger than me? How strange, I thought you were older… from the wrinkles around your eyes.
Another vein appeared on Nemuri's forehead.
—Is that coming from the forty-something in front of me?
—You tell me… Aren't you tired of pretending to be young when your back creaks every time you bend down? And don't tell me it's because of your chest, since not even Izuku believes that. What irony, that you want to "educate" Izuku when you can't even control your own worn-out hormones.
The tension between them could be cut with a knife. Each one held firmly onto one of Izuku's arms, and he no longer knew whether he should speak up or just faint to get out of it.
And just as he was about to intervene, Eri, who had settled calmly onto his lap, pushed a candied apple into his mouth with a sweet smile.
—Here, papi. If you eat well, you'll get better —she said with the kind of tenderness that would disarm anyone.
—Daughter?! —Nemuri exclaimed, stunned—. But how…? Wait, she… looks like…
—Don't strain yourself trying to understand it, Mrs. Nemuri. At your age it's not healthy to stress. Although, of course… it's strange that after so many years, you still haven't started a family. Could it be that… no man considers you for anything serious?
—Are you calling me old, you damn forty-year-old?! At least I've got a figure! Izuku-kun knows that very well! I could be the best mom he's ever had! The prettiest and the sexiest!
—Yeah, sure, with that bump on your belly it's more like he'd call you grandma.
—Do you seriously want to fight, old lady?
—Whenever you want. Although I admit it's pitiful to fight someone who's already going through menopause. Oh right, you're younger than me, seriously, your face confuses me.
—Papa, eat more! I want you to get better soon so you can take me to the candy stalls! —Eri said with innocence, pushing another bite into Izuku's mouth.
—D-Darling…! Don't worry! —Hinpan cut in, nervous, trying to wrap his head in bandages with her large, trembling hands—. I'll take care of you! I just… I just need to wrap this well… and give you some medicine… there, there…!
Izuku watched her out of the corner of his eye, noticing how the blush on her face deepened every time she got closer. She was so nervous that she seemed more worried about the closeness than about the supposed injury. Even so, her intentions were sincere and sweet.
Luckily, Toga was still "asleep," something Izuku silently appreciated. He didn't need another explosive jealousy attack in that same room.
Izuku just closed his eyes as he slowly chewed the apple in his mouth. Maybe getting hurt hadn't been the best idea in the world.
Well, at least it couldn't get any worse.
—WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS ROOM?!
He'd spoken too soon. In front of him, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed, was Izumi… accompanied by Momo and Uraraka. None of the three looked pleased.
For Izuku, this appearance could only mean one thing: this was about to get ugly.
—Izuku, what are you doing with these women? Who are they? —Momo asked, her tone loaded with confusion and something harder to hide: growing irritation. It was clear she didn't like seeing her representative in such a questionable predicament.
—Miss Midnight? Why are you holding onto Izuku's arm and arguing with that other woman? —Uraraka added, equally confused by the strange scene.
—ONI-CHAAAAAN!! —Izumi shouted furiously, striding forward.
Izuku sighed, chewing another bite of apple in resignation before answering in a calm tone to try to smooth things over.
—Well, it's best we all stay calm… Um, look, Professor Nemuri, when I had the "accident," brought me to the infirmary and then everyone else showed up…
—Nemuri?! Why are you calling the professor by her first name?! —Izumi interrupted, agitated, a spark of fire starting to ignite in her hand.
—Well, she gave me permission to. I wanted to be polite to the person who took care of me. She's a good person… she even made me a soup of…
Izuku saw it coming. Fast. In the blink of an eye, he formed a shield of whips that intercepted the flame just in time. His expression was now full of seriousness, something his sister noticed, making her instinctively step back.
—Izumi, what are you doing? Are you crazy?! —Momo exclaimed, alarmed, trying to hold her back or at least calm her down. But Izumi shoved her aside roughly, her anger flaring back up, and launched another fireball at Nemuri.
A wall of ice rose in front of her, dissipating part of the heat and pushing her back a few steps. It was clear Izumi was upset… very upset.
—Young lady, I don't think it's appropriate to treat your elders this way. You should calm down and listen better to your brother —Rei intervened, her hands starting to be covered in frost.
—Don't talk to me, you damn woman! I don't know who you are, but you're way too close to my Oni-chan! Same with that huge furry behind him! —Hinpan hid behind Izuku, trembling with fear—. And since I'm tired of using words, I'll get the truth out with fire! —Izumi exclaimed, igniting both hands as she took up a fighting stance, ready to attack.
—Please, calm down! —Uraraka begged in the midst of the conflict, trying to reason with them—. This could be a big misunderstanding, we can clear it up! Let's let Izuku speak and then…
—Papa… I'm scared —Eri whispered, hugging Izuku's chest tightly.
The silence that followed that phrase was different… denser, more dangerous. It was the calm before the storm. Izuku knew it well — there was nothing he could say now, Izumi had already made up her mind, and it wasn't good at all.
—NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU DAMN ALVINA!! —Izumi roared, lunging at Rei with both hands wrapped in flames.
That scream marked the start of the war. Izumi activated her quirk instantly, covering her fists in compressed fire as she advanced with fury toward Rei, whose eyes widened just a second before creating a barrier of solid spikes to defend herself. The clash was imminent. Momo and Uraraka, still not fully understanding what was happening, reacted on instinct; Momo raised an improvised shield while Uraraka activated zero gravity, both rushing to stop Izumi before she did something she might regret. In turn, Professor Nemuri had already prepared herself, releasing a thick purple mist that quickly spread through the room with the clear intention of putting them all to sleep immediately — not only to protect Rei, but also to keep the place from descending into greater disaster.
The situation could end in seconds… or drag on dangerously. Izuku decided it would be immediate. With a single snap of his fingers, the air changed. Nemuri's mist was pushed aside instantly, and in the span of a breath, all five women found themselves suspended in the air, caught by Izuku's black whips, which had extended without anyone noticing. They floated slightly, unable to move, and his stern gaze — still, almost cold — froze their blood. None of them dared to speak. None wanted to challenge that silence.
Just then, the door opened again, and this time Shoto walked in, looking downcast.
—Sorry, Himura. I just came to see how you were doing and ask you about…
Shoto's eyes swept across the faces until they landed on her…
—Mom?
—Son.
—Shoto?
—Izumi?
—Shoto?
—Momo?
—Shoto.
—Uraraka?
—Young Todoroki...
—Professor Midnight?
—Eri-chan, Hinpan, and Izuku. And I don't want to say Shoto —Izuku said with a forced smile, worn out by the drama—. Well… you've all met each other now. Now, out. All of you who got involved in the fight, leave right away. Seriously, my head hurts.
—But Izuku...
It was enough for him to just look at her for the words to die in her mouth.
—I said: all of you, Miss Nemuri, no exceptions.
Then, his gaze settled on Izumi, who could barely hold herself up, her eyes glassy and her body trembling. His voice dropped in tone, but not in firmness.
—If you want to talk to me again... you'd better make peace. —And turning to Shoto, his expression softened slightly—. I'm sorry, Shoto. I see why you came, but it's best you get the answers from your mom.
With a quick, calculated motion, the whips deposited them outside the room, as if they weighed nothing. The doors slammed shut, and the room fell silent. Only Eri and Hinpan remained there, still, frightened at first, but their faces soon relaxed as they watched Izuku let out a long sigh and lower his head.
—Phew… finally, a little peace. I can't believe they act like little kids, I hate having to scold them like that.
He raised the bowl of miso soup, drank it down to the last drop, and lay back heavily on the bed, closing his eyes for a moment while feeling the curious gazes of the two girls.
—So then, Eri-chan and Hinpan —he said, his voice softer, just to break the silence with a smile—, did you find any good food stalls?
They nodded enthusiastically, their little faces lighting up immediately. For the next hour, they talked nonstop about sweets, odd little shops, and new flavors they'd tried, with a joy that he liked seeing. It was one of the sweetest conversations Izuku had had in a long time.