[38] Mother Knows Best

A/N: Jeez good job on hitting that milestone! Here is your bonus chapter! 

I settled into the plush couch, sinking into its familiar comfort. Mom curled up next to me, her head resting on my shoulder. The massive screen before us flickered to life, the opening theme of Iron-Blooded Orphans filling the room.

"I forgot how good this soundtrack is," I said, tapping my foot to the beat.

Mom hummed in agreement. "Reminds me of those old war movies your father used to love."

I tensed slightly at the mention of Dad. Mom rarely brought him up. "Yeah?"

"Mm. He had a whole collection. Said the music captured the spirit of conflict better than any dialogue could."

I let that sit for a moment, watching as the opening credits faded into the first scene. The child soldiers of Chryse Guard Security appeared on screen, their faces too young for the weapons they carried.

"You know," Mom said, her voice casual, "I always wondered if shows like this influenced quirk development."

I raised an eyebrow. "What, you think watching mecha anime makes people sprout robot parts?"

She laughed softly. "Not quite that literal. But think about it. How many speed-based quirks emerged after the popularity of racing games? How many strength quirks after superhero comics became mainstream?"

"Correlation doesn't equal causation," I countered. "Maybe people with those quirks just gravitated towards media that reflected their abilities."

"Perhaps." She shifted slightly, getting more comfortable. "But quirks are influenced by mental state, right? It's not hard to imagine that constant exposure to certain ideas could shape their development."

On screen, Mikazuki piloted the Gundam Barbatos for the first time. The mech moved with a fluid grace that belied its massive size.

"So what you're saying," I said slowly, "is that if I watch enough Gundam, I might develop a giant robot quirk?"

Mom swatted my arm playfully. "Smart ass. You know what I mean."

"Yeah, yeah. Nature versus nurture and all that." I paused the show as a thought struck me. "Wait, is that why you were so strict about what media I consumed as a kid?"

She was quiet for a long moment. "Partially," she admitted finally. "But mostly I just didn't want you rotting your brain with garbage."

"Ah yes, because Gundam is the pinnacle of high art."

"Compared to some of the drivel your classmates probably watched? Absolutely."

I unpaused the show, letting the conversation lapse into comfortable silence. We watched as the characters navigated the complex political landscape of Mars, their choices growing more morally ambiguous with each episode.

"It's strange," Mom said during a slower scene, "how similar this is to real hero politics."

I glanced down at her. "How so?"

"The power dynamics. The way different factions vie for control." She gestured at the screen. "Replace 'mobile suits' with 'quirks' and it's not that different from what we deal with every day."

"I don't know," I said, thinking of my classmates. "I can't really picture Kirishima or Uraraka engaging in shadowy political maneuvering."

Mom chuckled. "No, I suppose not. But they're still young. Give it time."

"You make it sound so cynical."

"Not cynical. Realistic." She sat up straighter, turning to face me. "The hero world isn't just about flashy quirks and saving the day. There's a whole ecosystem of agencies, sponsors, and government bodies all jockeying for position."

I thought about the HPSC's messages. "Yeah, I'm starting to see that."

"It's not necessarily a bad thing," Mom continued. "Competition can drive innovation, push people to be better. But it's important to understand the game you're playing."

On screen, Orga made a difficult decision, sacrificing a moral high ground for the greater good of his people.

"Is that why you're so against me working with the HPSC?" I asked.

Mom's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "Partially. They're... not always as noble as they present themselves."

"And you are?"

The words came out harsher than I intended. Mom pulled away slightly, her eyes searching my face.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "That wasn't fair."

She shook her head. "No, it's a valid question. I'm not perfect, Yoichi. I've made choices I'm not proud of. But everything I've done has been to protect you and give you the best possible future."

I nodded, not quite sure how to respond to that level of honesty. We lapsed into silence again, the show continuing in the background.

"You know," Mom said after a while, her tone deliberately light, "speaking of protection, we should probably talk about your late-night visitor at the hospital."

My stomach dropped. I kept my eyes fixed on the TV screen, watching mobile suits dance across space while my mind spun through possibilities. How much did she know?

"A visitor?" I tried for casual. Failed miserably.

Mom's finger traced lazy circles on the couch arm. "Mhm. Young lady. Dark hair. Quite athletic." Her voice carried that dangerous playfulness that meant I was in trouble. "Ring any bells?"

I smirked, deciding to lean into it. "Well, you did make me irresistible. Can't blame a classmate for checking up on me." I turned to face her. "Probably a potential girlfriend."

Mom's eyes narrowed. The lotus patterns in them spun a fraction faster. "Is that so?"

"What can I say? The Nakamura charm is genetic."

"Interesting." Mom picked up the remote and paused the show. Orga's face froze mid-speech. "Because according to hospital security, no one checked in to visit you that night."

Shit.

"Maybe they forgot to log it?"

"The cameras didn't catch anyone entering through the door either." Mom's smile grew sharper. "Though there was an interesting blur near the window. Third floor, wasn't it?"

Double shit.

I weighed my options. Mom clearly knew something had happened, but maybe not everything. I could try to deflect, make up a story about a secret admirer. But lying to Mom never ended well.

"Would you believe me if I said I was sleeping and didn't notice anyone?"

"Sweetie." Mom patted my knee. "I raised you. I know exactly how light a sleeper you are."

"Fair point."

"So?" She settled back, watching me with those all-seeing eyes. "Care to explain why a mysterious girl was sneaking into your hospital room at 2 AM?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "Would you accept 'teenage hormones' as an answer?"

Mom's expression didn't change, but the air grew heavier. The lotus patterns in her eyes spun faster.

"You know what concerns me most?" she said, voice soft. "Not that someone broke into your room. Not even that you're trying to protect them. It's that you think I wouldn't notice."

I winced. "Mom-"

"I have eyes everywhere, Yoichi. Always have. It's how I keep you safe."

"I know, but-"

"So when someone manages to slip past my security..." She leaned forward. "It makes me very, very curious about who they are."

The weight of her presence pressed against me. Most people would have crumbled under that pressure, spilled every secret they had. But I'd grown up with this woman. I knew her tricks.

"You're doing the scary mom thing again," I said.

She didn't blink. "Is it working?"

"Little bit, yeah."

"Good." She settled back, some of the pressure easing. "Now, let's try this again. Who is she?"

"Her name's Kaori. Kaori Sakurada. She's in my class at U.A."

Mom's eyebrows rose slightly. "The one with the... interesting ears?"

"They're cute," I said defensively, then immediately regretted it as Mom's eyes lit up.

"Oh? 'Cute,' is it?" A small smile played at her lips. "And when were you planning to tell me about this development?"

I sank deeper into the couch. "When I figured out how to survive the interrogation?"

"Smart boy." She turned to face me fully, tucking her legs under her. "So, Kaori Sakurada. Tell me about her."

"Mom..."

"Humor me. It's not every day my son has a girl climbing through his hospital window at 2 AM."

I sighed, knowing resistance was futile. "She's... different. Smart. Really good at combat training. Has this way of looking at things that makes you question everything you thought you knew."

"Sounds dangerous."

"Maybe." I smiled despite myself. "But in a good way."

Mom studied me for a long moment. The lotus patterns in her eyes spun lazily, like they did when she was processing something unexpected.

"And this window visit..."

"She was worried," I said quickly. "After the attack. Just wanted to make sure I was okay."

"At 2 AM?"

"We're heroes in training. Keep weird hours."

"Mhm." Mom's finger tapped against her knee. "And I suppose checking on your well-being required staying for three hours?"

I choked on air. "You tracked how long-"

"Of course I did." She waved dismissively. "The security feed showed the blur leaving around 5."

"That's..." I ran a hand through my hair. "Kind of creepy, Mom."

"That's protection." Her expression softened slightly. "Though I suppose I'll need to adjust my parameters now that you're... dating."

The way she said 'dating' made it sound like some exotic foreign concept.

"Look, I know you're going to run a full background check-"

"Already did."

"-of course you did. But can you maybe... dial back the surveillance a bit?"

Mom tilted her head. "Why?"

"Because normal parents don't monitor their kids' every move?"

"Normal parents' children aren't potential targets for villain attacks."

"Mom."

She held up her hands. "Fine. I'll... consider reducing the security protocols. Slightly."

"And the background checks?"

"Non-negotiable." Her eyes narrowed. "Speaking of which, her records show some interesting gaps-"

"Nope." I stood up. "We're not doing this. Not tonight."

"Yoichi-"

I looked down at her. "Trust me?"

Mom's expression cycled through several emotions before settling on something between resignation and amusement. "You really like this girl."

It wasn't a question.

"Yeah," I said softly. "I do."

She was quiet for a long moment, then patted the couch beside her. "Sit back down. Show's not over."

I eyed her suspiciously. "No more interrogation?"

"For now." She smiled. "Though we should probably discuss appropriate visiting hours."

"Mom!"

"What? I'm being reasonable. No visits after midnight-"

"I'm eighteen!"

"Unless you'd prefer I invite her over for a formal dinner? I have so many baby photos to share..."

I dropped back onto the couch, groaning. "You're evil."

"I'm thorough." She unpaused the show. "Now, about those visiting hours..."

We spent the next hour negotiating what Mom called 'reasonable dating parameters' and what I called 'helicopter parenting gone nuclear.' By the time we finished episode six, we'd reached a tentative agreement: no surveillance during dates, but regular check-ins required. No overnight visits without prior notice, but weekend activities could run later. And most importantly, no background checks on Kaori beyond the initial one.

Mom insisted that last part was killing her.

As the credits rolled on episode seven, Mom stretched and stood. "I should get some sleep. Early meeting tomorrow."

"Right." I started to get up, but she put a hand on my shoulder.

"Yoichi." Her voice had that rare, completely serious tone. "I know I can be... intense about your safety. But I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy."

I blinked, surprised by the sincerity. "Thanks, Mom."

She smiled, but there was something sad in it. "You're growing up so fast. Sometimes I forget you're not that little boy who needed me to check under his bed for villains anymore."

"Hey, those checks were important. Could've been Toxic Chainsaw under there."

"Mm. Now I just have to worry about girls sneaking through your window."

"Mom..."

She laughed and ruffled my hair. "I'm kidding. Mostly." Her expression turned thoughtful. "Though we should probably discuss safe-"

"Nope!" I jumped up. "Absolutely not. That's where I draw the line."

"But-"

"Good night, Mom!"

I fled to my room, her laughter following me up the stairs. As I closed the door, I heard her call out, "This conversation isn't over, young man!"

I flopped onto my bed, the mattress creaking under my sudden weight. The conversation with Mom still bounced around my head - particularly her not-so-subtle attempts to bring up safe sex. I grabbed my pillow and pressed it against my face, groaning into it.

My phone rang. The specific ringtone - the Pillar Men theme from JoJo - meant it could only be one person.

"BROTHER!" Todo's voice boomed through the speaker before I could even say hello. "YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRED!"

I held the phone away from my ear. "Volume, Todo. We talked about this."

"Ah, my apologies." He cleared his throat dramatically. "But the matter remains urgent. Tomorrow afternoon, the boys and I are embarking on a sacred ritual of brotherhood."

"Sacred ritual?"

"Indeed! Kaminari discovered this most fascinating establishment. A place where men gather to test their mettle against mechanical bulls and consume questionable quantities of wings!"

I sat up. "You're going to a bar?"

"A sports bar!" Kaminari's voice chimed in. "With arcade games!"

"Group Call?" I asked.

"Of course! The whole crew is here planning. Say hi, everyone!"

A chorus of greetings followed:

"Yo!" That was definitely Kirishima.

"Hey man." Sero.

"H-hi Nakamura." And Midoriya, somehow sounding nervous even over the phone.

"We're hitting up this new place downtown," Kaminari continued. "They've got this crazy wing challenge - eat thirty super spicy wings in thirty minutes and you get your picture on the wall!"

"Plus games!" Kirishima added. "And Todo here's never played air hockey."

"A grave oversight I intend to correct," Todo declared solemnly.

I glanced at my clock. "What time tomorrow?"

"Meeting at the station at four," Sero said. "Figure we'll grab food, play some games, maybe check out that new hero merch shop that opened nearby."

"The one with the limited edition All Might figures?" Midoriya's voice perked up considerably.

"Down, fanboy," Kaminari laughed. "But yeah, that's the one."

I considered it. Mom would probably appreciate me getting out with friends - especially since she knew most of their backgrounds already. Plus, the idea of Todo discovering air hockey was too good to pass up.

"Count me in," I said.

"EXCELLENT!" Todo's volume control slipped again. "The brotherhood will be complete!"

"We're not calling ourselves that," Sero said.

"What about 'The Boys'?" Kirishima suggested.

"Too basic," Kaminari replied. "We need something with style."

"The Plus Ultra Squad?" Midoriya offered quietly.

"Getting warmer..."

"Guys," I interrupted, "maybe we figure out the team name tomorrow?"

"Fair point," Todo said. "We should focus on more pressing matters. Like deciding who will face me first in this 'air hockey' challenge."

"Dibs!" Kaminari called out. "I wanna see your face when that puck breaks the sound barrier!"

"You realize it's just plastic, right?" Sero asked.

"Let me dream, tape boy."

Their bickering continued, and I found myself grinning. After everything that had happened lately - the attack, the hospital, the HPSC - a normal afternoon out sounded perfect.

"Oh yeah," Kirishima's voice cut through the chaos, "bring extra cash for the wing challenge. Loser buys drinks for everyone."

"Non-alcoholic drinks," Midoriya added quickly.

"Obviously. We're heroes in training, not villains." Kaminari paused. "Though I heard they make this insane monster milkshake with like six different candies-"

"Focus, gentlemen!" Todo interrupted. "We must discuss proper attire for such an occasion. I suggest-"

"Normal clothes," everyone said in unison.

"But-"

"No traditional robes," Sero said firmly.

"Not even-"

"Or hakama," Kirishima added.

Todo sighed heavily. "You all lack vision."

I listened to them argue about Todo's fashion choices, feeling oddly content. These idiots were my friends. Despite all the chaos and complications in my life, that simple fact remained constant.

"Yo, Nakamura," Kirishima's voice broke through my thoughts, "you still there?"

"Yeah, just thinking."

"Dangerous habit," Kaminari joked.

"Someone has to do it for this group."

"Hey!"

"He's got a point," Sero laughed.

"Brothers should not mock brothers!" Todo protested.

"Still not calling ourselves that," Sero replied.

"What about-"

"Or 'The Fellowship'," Kirishima pre-empted.

"You guys are crushing my dreams here," Todo grumbled.

"We do it with love," Kaminari said. "Now, about tomorrow - everyone clear on the plan? Meet at four, food, games, possible shopping if Midoriya doesn't spend an hour analyzing every All Might figure-"

"I don't- I mean-"

The conversation devolved into everyone sharing their favorite 'Midoriya fanboy moments', with the man himself trying desperately to defend his "purely academic interest" in hero memorabilia.

"Alright," I said after Kaminari finished his story about Midoriya's thirty-minute analysis of All Might's silver age costume changes, "I should probably go before my mom ropes me into a 'safe dating' conversation."

"Ohoho?" Todo's interest peaked. "Has our brother gone all the way?"

"No details," I said quickly. "I'm hanging up now."

"But-"

I ended the call, cutting off what I was sure would be an interrogation to rival my mother's. Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with messages:

Kaminari: BRO YOU CAN'T LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT

Kirishima: Spill tomorrow?

Sero: 👀

Todo: BROTHER YOUR SILENCE ONLY INTRIGUES US MORE

Midoriya: Good night!

I typed out a quick "see you tomorrow" and tossed my phone aside. Through my door, I heard Mom call out:

"Yoichi! Since you're still up, should we finish our discussion about protection-"

"GOING TO SLEEP NOW!"

Her laughter echoed through the house as I buried my face in my pillow again. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.