Leaving school, Kimika saw her mother, and her heart instantly filled with joy. She ran with all her might to her and hugged her tightly, as always pressing her head firmly against her mom. She was burning with the desire to introduce her mom to her new friend. Lifting her head, Kimika energetically exclaimed:

"Maaaam, I found a friend!" Kimika turned around and pointed at Izuku, who stood a bit behind. "Here he is! This is Izuku!"

Her mom looked at her daughter with a warm smile, always so lively and cheerful. She couldn't help but feel happy that Kimika's first day at school had not only gone well but had also brought a new friendship. Glancing at Izuku, she saw a shy boy with bright green hair standing off to the side, watching the scene closely.

Shifting her gaze back to her daughter, her mom cheerfully said:

"Wow, my little girl has found her first friend!" Her voice was warm, with a slight teasing tone. "You didn't force him to be your friend, did you?"

"Well, maaaam..." Kimika pouted, puffing her cheeks and crossing her arms over her chest.

Her mom just smiled even wider and, looking at Izuku, continued:

"Hello, Izuku! I'm Yukiko Tanaki, Kimika's mom. I'm so glad you two have become friends," she said with a warm smile. "I was starting to worry that Kimika would be without friends. Thank you so much! I hope she didn't make you become her friend?" Yukiko joked gently, having no intention of embarrassing her daughter. She just loved to tease her a little, and Kimika understood that perfectly.

Meanwhile, Kimika lightly hit her mom on the elbow, trying to stop her. Her face was burning with embarrassment because, although she understood perfectly well that her mom was just teasing, she thought, 'Why now, in front of my friend?!'

Izuku, watching this scene, immediately noticed the warm relationship between Kimika and her mom. He even smiled faintly, especially when he saw Kimika pouting at her mom's words. He had the same close relationship with his own mom, but looking around, he couldn't find her. Thinking she was probably running late, he gathered his thoughts and spoke hesitantly:

"I... I'm Izuku... Izuku Midoriya... and no, Kimika didn't force me. We... we are real friends!" he replied a bit uncertainly, blushing slightly.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Kimika's mom responded, smiling cheerfully." I hope you two will be friends for a long time. Although... you'll still have to get used to her antics. She is quite the little rascal!"

"MAAAAM!" Kimika puffed her cheeks out sharply, looking at her mom with annoyance. "Don't do that! You... you're embarrassing me!" The girl flushed with embarrassment and stomped her foot in protest. "Please stop it... and... I'm wonderful!!"

"Oh, of course, you're wonderful, but sometimes you can be very naughty!" her mom said, winking slyly at Izuku while gently smiling at her daughter.

"MAAAAAM, not here and not now!" Kimika was completely at a loss, growing redder by the moment. She wished her mom would stop teasing her, at least in front of her new friend.

Izuku, watching this scene, couldn't hold back his laughter. He felt that there was a special bond between Kimika and her mom. Even when Kimika's mom playfully teased her daughter, it was clear that it was all in good fun, filled with love and kindness.

When they suddenly turned to him, he felt a bit awkward.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to turn out this way!" he said hurriedly, trying to explain why he had laughed. "I... I just thought it was funny... I didn't mean to offend you!"

"It's okay!" Kimika interrupted Izuku, but now there was a slight smile in her voice. "She always does this…" Then, glancing at her mom, she added, "Don't joke like that around my friends!"

"Alright, alright," her mom replied, stifling her laughter. "I promise I won't do it again. Though, Kimika, sometimes your reactions are just priceless!"

Suddenly, a nervous, plump woman ran up to them with a distressed look on her face. Her greenish hair was slightly disheveled, and her eyes shone with worry. Kneeling down in front of Izuku, she hugged him tightly, as if she had forgotten everything else in the world, nearly crying with tears in her eyes.

"Izuku... I'm sorry I'm late... I got held up at home," she hurriedly explained, looking at him with guilt.

Seeing that it was his mom, he hugged her back. But feeling his face heat up with embarrassment because others were watching, he quickly ended the embrace.

Izuku was in no way upset with his mom for being late; he loved her endlessly and knew she loved him just as much.

"It's okay, Mom! Don't worry," he quickly said, eager to change the subject, and continued, "Mom, I have a new friend! We're classmates. Here she is—this is Kimika Tanaki, and this is her mom, Yukiko Tanaki!"

Hearing these words, Inko quickly calmed down and composed herself, looking at the people her son had pointed out, smiling as she felt happy that he had found friends besides his best friend Bakugo, with whom he had been friends since childhood.

"Hello! I'm Inko Midoriya. It's very nice to meet you!" she said warmly, standing up and wiping her eyes.

"We're happy to meet you too!" Yukiko replied, noticing the warm scene between them. Not wanting to focus on the tears or anything like that, she shifted the topic. "I'm glad our kids have become friends. They probably have a lot of fun ahead of them!"

"I'm also incredibly happy!" Inko replied, smiling with joy. Her heart was filled with happiness because seeing her son find new friends was very important to her.

During this wonderful moment, the moms began to chat, eager to learn more about each other, as the friendship between their children only grew stronger. Exchanging brief stories about their little ones, they felt they had found common ground. Soon, in the pleasant atmosphere of conversation, and learning that their homes were quite close to one another, they headed in the same direction home.

The moms walked side by side while ahead of them, the cheerful kids animatedly discussed their future plans and favorite heroes. Both mothers smiled, watching the happy children, and their hearts filled with warmth, knowing their kids would live nearby and could play together often, which also meant their families would regularly get together.

During the slow walk home, Inko became curious about why they had never met before.

"You know, we've never met before," Inko began, leaning slightly toward Yukiko. "My son really loves walking around the neighborhood with friends, and it seems he's never seen your daughter, even though we live nearby. Did you recently move to this area?"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Oh, no," Yukiko smiled, sighing. "My Kimika doesn't really like to walk around. She usually spends time at home or in the yard, which is why I was worried she might have a hard time finding friends. But I was extremely happy when I learned she had become friends with your son."

"By the way, in Izuku's class, there's his best childhood friend, Katsuki Bakugo," Inko added, trying to spark a glimmer of hope. "Maybe they could become friends too. Bakugo is quite energetic and kind; he always leads others along."

Yukiko's face lit up, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I'll definitely ask Kimi if she'd like to be friends with him. The more friends, the better!"

Seeing that their conversation was unfolding in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Inko decided it was the right time to share some important information. She wanted it to come at a convenient moment so that misunderstandings wouldn't arise later if the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"I... wanted to tell you something important," she began anxiously, lowering her voice slightly. "I wanted you to know right away... You see, my son... is quirkless."

Yukiko raised her eyebrows with an interested expression.

"Quirkless? Hmm..." she replied, smiling. "I don't think that's a bad thing. We've always taught Kimika not to look down on people without quirks or those whose quirks are weaker than hers. I'm sure she already knows this, since they're friends and probably talked about it. And if she doesn't know, don't worry; everything will be fine."

"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that!" Inko felt a wave of relief. "You know how some people treat the quirkless, especially children... And it's even worse when they find out he wants to become a hero. I feel so sorry for Izuku on those days..."

Seeing Inko's concern, Yukiko sincerely began to cheer her up.

"Please don't be sad!" Yukiko continued, trying to encourage Inko. "Your son can still be a hero as a police officer, a doctor, or a firefighter. Each of these professions is important and requires bravery. You could even say they are heroes, as they save people and protect them. And even without a quirk, he can be a support hero, helping those who have quirks. So don't worry; everything will be alright!"

"You're right," Inko nodded, her mood starting to improve. "I never thought of it that way. Izuku really can be a hero, even without a quirk."

Inko pondered for a moment, trying to find the best way to convey this important thought to her son. She believed in his potential and wanted to show him that there are other types of heroes. While she wanted to believe in him with all her heart, she realized that without a quirk, it would be unlikely for him to become a hero — after all, there had never been one without a quirk. 'I definitely need to talk to him about this,' she thought, feeling her heart swell with hope.

However, turmoil reigned in her soul. Inko didn't want to hurt him, but she had to find a way to show him alternatives, as it was painful to watch him suffer because of his quirklessness while dreaming of becoming a hero since childhood. When Izuku was diagnosed at four, his despair struck her deeply, and her heart nearly broke at the sight. Inko would never want to relive that experience.

Meanwhile, the children were actively discussing various topics, especially regarding heroes. Izuku, lost in his thoughts, mostly talked on his own, sometimes falling into a trance as he analyzed the details of his favorite characters, forgetting everything around him. Kimika, watching his enthusiasm, didn't mind at all — she genuinely enjoyed listening to him. She wasn't just trying to support his mood; she felt true joy hearing his captivating stories about heroes, their quirks, and adventures.

By the end of the conversation, the parents discussed the idea of a joint dinner one day when everyone was free. Yukiko felt mixed emotions upon learning that Izuku's father wouldn't be present at this gathering since he was currently abroad. However, she tried not to dwell on it, knowing that Inko and Izuku would come, and perhaps it was for the best. From Inko's stories, Yukiko knew that Izuku's father had been sending money for several years while barely communicating with his son. This made her think that perhaps he wasn't the best person, but Yukiko didn't want to voice this, knowing how much Inko loved her husband and how she didn't reflect much on the fact that he seemed to have simply abandoned them.

Returning home, Kimika eagerly awaited her father, just as she had two years ago, wanting to tell him about her day: about her kind teacher, her new friend, and many other impressions. She couldn't wait to share her emotions.

In the meantime, Kimika's father returned home much sooner than usual. Today was a special day — the first day of school for his daughter. His colleagues and boss knew about it and decided they couldn't let him stay at work. They literally "forced" him out, knowing he wouldn't leave his post until the workday ended, and might even stay longer. In their eyes, he always placed work on the same level as family, perhaps even higher. They understood that he was a man of justice with an incredible desire to punish all criminals.

When the whole family gathered at home, Kimika enthusiastically began to recount her day. She described all the events in detail but paid particular attention to the disdain the other children showed toward quirkless Izuku. Her disappointment was evident as she asked why they behaved that way, especially since they all dreamed of becoming heroes but still treated those who were weaker with disrespect.

Kimika also talked a lot about her first friend, Izuku, and her parents were happy she had found someone to share her experiences with, especially her father, who heard about it for the first time. She mentioned Bakugo and their altercation. Yukiko, upon hearing this, didn't even think about suggesting that Kimika befriend him; on the contrary, she was glad she hadn't had the chance to say so.

Her father, learning about the situation, felt incredibly angry at Bakugo for daring to speak that way and threaten his daughter, although he tried to remain calm on the outside. However, realizing that it was just a childish spat, he couldn't take any serious measures other than to talk to the boy or his parents if he continued to behave that way. So, he told Kimika that if the situation happened again, she should inform him immediately.

Despite these worries, the parents were very pleased that the teacher supported Izuku, which calmed them down a bit. Yukiko shared with her husband that she suggested having a family dinner, and he readily agreed, saying it was a good idea.

After that, they continued to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Yukiko, celebrating this important day for their daughter. Leaving all negativity behind, the family began to talk about cheerful topics, laughing in the process. The warm family atmosphere filled the room with joy and coziness, distracting everyone from their worries and concerns.

~~~ Meanwhile, Bakugo ~~~

Bakugo, returning home after dinner with his family, sat on his bed, feeling the anger burning within him. 'How dare she talk to me like that?' he thought, clenching his fists. 'Why did she choose to be friends with that trash, Deku, instead of the future number one hero like me?' His thoughts swirled like sails in a storm. 'She and I are the only ones who can become real heroes in this class! Everyone else is just worthless, wasting my time!!'

The anger towards Izuku grew, as Bakugo believed that he only dreamed of becoming a hero to keep up appearances and look cool. 'Why does that quirkless loser even think he can be a hero? It's laughable!' he thought, clenching his fists in contempt. Bakugo remembered that they used to be friends, but now he couldn't understand why Izuku couldn't let go of his impossible dreams. 'II know more about heroes than all these useless people!' he imagined what a true hero looked like: strong, brave, and someone whose very presence would scare criminals, making them think twice before showing their faces.

But Bakugo also knew that being a hero was very hard and dangerous, especially for those with a weak quirk, and especially for those who had none at all. He imagined how Izuku, trying to become a hero, could get hurt or even die.

Despite his anger, deep down, Bakugo didn't want anything to happen to Izuku. He remembered the moment he accidentally saw Inko crying, worried about her son. Her tear-streaked face and the look in her eyes left a deep impression on his memory. 'I can't let her son get hurt or die!' he thought, feeling the weight of responsibility. 'I need to talk him out of this nonsense, this dream, even if I have to do it in an unconventional way!'

He remembered trying to talk Deku out of it with simple words, but that hadn't worked. Now Bakugo began to think of other possible ways that could help him achieve his goal. And he was doing well until this Kimika showed up... 'She'll regret her choice soon enough! Once she realizes that Deku is just dragging her down!' he thought, feeling his anger boil in his heart.

Deep down, Bakugo still wanted to prove that he was a true hero, and even if he had to prove it to everyone, he wouldn't stop until he achieved what he desired. 'I'll show everyone that I'm the best! No one will ever stop me! I will become the best hero in this world, the number one hero!' With these thoughts, he finally fell asleep, feeling his anger and determination intertwining in his dreams.