Inko didn't fully know what was happening in her son's school life. Work consumed most of her time, leaving her with only brief moments to spend with Izuku — moments that often ended in silence and sorrow. He was eleven now, and the once bright spark in his eyes had dulled. He had no friends left. Even Nejire, his closest companion, had long since gone. He missed her and the carefree days they shared.
One evening, returning from work, Inko noticed something was off. The apartment was dark and silent — no familiar flicker of the TV, no noise from the kitchen, just a cold, oppressive stillness.
"I'm home, Izuku!" she called out, slipping off her shoes and flicking on the light.
No answer. That wasn't like him.
A chill crept up her spine as she walked to his room. She hesitated at the door, sensing something heavy behind it. Pressing her ear against the wood, she heard nothing. Carefully, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.
Inside, darkness clung to the room like a veil. Izuku lay motionless on his bed.
Is he asleep… or pretending? she wondered, stepping in quietly.
As she approached, she heard a soft sniffle. At first, she dismissed it, but then she noticed the blanket was damp. Her heart tightened.
Izuku, upon hearing her voice earlier, had instantly fallen silent, pressing his hand over his mouth to suppress his sobs. Now, covered completely by the blanket, he fought to hide the evidence of his pain. But it betrayed him anyway — tears soaking through the fabric, shoulders trembling.
Inko reached out gently and pulled the blanket back.
His face appeared — wet with tears, cheeks flushed, lips trembling as he struggled to stay silent. His red, glassy eyes met hers for a moment… then turned away in shame.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze softening.
Her fingers brushed his shoulder, feeling the dampness, and he flinched. When she tried to draw him into a hug, his body went rigid — stone-like, resisting.
He pulled away slightly. It wasn't just a refusal. It was a wall.
"Izuku…" she whispered, swallowing her own tears. "If you want to talk, if there's something you need to get off your chest… I'm here. Please, tell me."
A heavy silence followed. Seconds stretched endlessly.
Finally, Izuku sat up, slow and stiff like it took all the strength he had. His bloodshot eyes locked with hers.
"Why… am I… like this?" His voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "What did I ever do to them?"
Inko's heart shattered.
She wanted to speak, to say something — anything — that would ease his pain. But the words wouldn't come.
"Tell me, sweetheart. Whatever it is, I'm here." She opened her arms.
He hesitated. A storm of emotions flickered across his face. Then, with a shuddering breath, he collapsed into her embrace, holding on as if afraid she might vanish.
His body shook with silent sobs, but Inko held firm, her fingers stroking his hair as if she could soothe the very ache in his soul. She didn't cry — not yet. He needed her strength.
Minutes passed before he calmed enough to speak again.
"I want to be a hero, Mom… but everyone laughs at me. They say I'm useless, a mistake, a burden… like I'm not even human. I never did anything wrong. I never hurt anyone. They think I'm looking down on them — but I'm not! I just wanted friends, but my… my…"
He couldn't finish the sentence. But Inko knew. The word "quirkless" had become a curse in their society. To be without a quirk was to be marked. It broke her heart that her son, so kind and full of potential, bore that mark.
"I've been punished," he added, barely audible. "I have to clean the classroom for a week… and apologize. Even though I didn't do anything."
Inko was stunned. Her son — the boy who always helped others, who avoided conflict — was being punished like a delinquent.
She burned with anger but buried it. Right now, Izuku needed calm.
"Izuku, I know you. You're a good boy — brave, caring, with a hero's heart. You don't deserve this. Tell me who accused you. Who made you take the blame?"
She kissed his forehead, her warmth melting a bit of the cold surrounding him.
Even without a quirk, Izuku was lucky in one way — he had a mother who would fight the world for him. Inko gave her all to her son, never hesitating to shield him from the storm.
He relaxed in her arms. For a moment, the burden lifted.
"It was the principal… and my classmates," he said at last, his voice flat.
Inko gently laid him back on the bed, brushing his hair from his face.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to school with you," she said quietly. "No one will hurt you again."
"But Mom… you have work. And your birthday's the day after tomorrow…"
He doubted her. Yet… deep inside, hope flickered.
"We'll celebrate my birthday together," she said, smiling. "You're more important to me than any job. Or date."
She saw how tense he still looked, how worn down. Sitting beside him, she recalled a memory — something soft, warm. Then, with a deep breath, she began to sing. Her voice was low and gentle, like a lullaby carried by the wind.
"Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone…"
Izuku's eyes fluttered open, his breathing slowing.
"I hear you call my name…"
His hands unclenched. His face relaxed.
"And it feels like home…"
That word struck him — home. A place where he was safe. A place where love waited, no matter what.
"I hear your voice, it's like an angel sighing…"
Her voice wrapped around him like a blanket, each note pushing back the shadows. To him, it wasn't just a song — it was the sound of healing.
As she sang the fourth line, his mind drifted. He imagined Nejire again, running into his arms. He pictured himself kneeling before his mother and finally saying:
"Mom, I fulfilled my dream."
And her smile, her embrace, her words:
"I always believed in you, my son. I knew you could do it."
"In the midnight hour, I can feel your power, just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there…"
He smiled, eyes closing at last.
Seeing him drift off, Inko smiled too. She leaned closer, whispering the final lines.
"Like a child, you whisper softly to me… you're in control… now I'm dancing…"
The room stilled. The moonlight touched his tear-streaked cheeks, giving him a peaceful glow.
Covering him with the blanket, she kissed him on the cheek and stood.
"Sleep well, Izuku. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
She quietly closed the door, her heart already preparing for the battle
The next day.
The school building stood like a stone monolith, indifferent to the events happening inside. For Inko Midoriya, it was a symbol of all the problems that had befallen her family over the years. But today everything would change. Today she had come to protect her son.
Her footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as she confidently walked toward the principal's office. She had come to prove and confront him about the punishment given to Izuku without her knowledge — how dare they not inform his legal guardian, placing the responsibility on a minor 11-year-old boy.
Yesterday, when Izuku returned home with an empty gaze and a heavy heart, Inko barely recognized her son. His usually cheerful face was twisted in pain. After long persuasion, she finally learned the truth: he had been accused of something he hadn't done. Classmates who had never liked his quiet demeanor and desire to do good had united in their accusations. Allegedly, Izuku had made derogatory remarks towards them. Inko couldn't believe that her son, the very Izuku who always helped even those who treated him poorly, could be subjected to such a low and unjust attack.
She stopped in front of the massive door with the sign "Principal's Office." Taking a deep breath, she knocked.
"Come in," a voice called from behind the door.
Inko entered, trying to maintain her composure. The principal sat at his desk, his face displaying slight irritation.
"Ms. Midoriya, how can I help you?" he looked at her coldly over his glasses.
"We spoke yesterday," Inko began, trying to suppress her anxiety. "And I've come to discuss this situation again."
"If you're going to bring up your son's accusations again…" the principal started, but she interrupted him.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm here for. I've come to protect my child from your failing system," her voice strengthened, sounding firm.
The principal sighed, as if this whole situation was trivial to him.
"Ms. Midoriya, we have testimonies. Several students confirm that Izuku made offensive remarks towards them."
"That's a lie," Inko said calmly, but her words sounded like thunder in a clear sky.
The principal's face quivered slightly.
"Are you sure the evidence… is reliable?" he tried to maintain his composure, but his voice trembled slightly.
"More than enough," Inko replied, looking him straight in the eyes.
She knew her task was not just to protect Izuku but to show that there were deeper problems in this school than met the eye.
"Your students," she continued, "decided they had the right to lie to soothe their own egos. They mocked my son and decided to 'put him in his place' because he doesn't fit their image of what a person should be."
The principal fell silent, his face beginning to show tension.
"And you," Inko stepped forward, her voice becoming firmer, "believed these children without giving Izuku the chance to defend himself. You didn't conduct any investigation, nor did you consider that such accusations could ruin my son's life!"
"Ms. Midoriya, I ask you to calm down," the principal raised his hand as if trying to stop her anger.
But Inko could no longer restrain herself.
"Calm down?" — she leaned forward, her voice low and threatening. "And my son was supposed to 'calm down' when they laughed at him? When he was humiliated? When you, as an adult and the head of this school, didn't even try to understand the situation?"
The principal was taken aback. His confidence melted away like snow under the sun.
"I… I will look into this matter," he finally said, averting his gaze.
"Yes, you will," Inko threw the documents onto the table. "Because if you don't, I will contact the Department of Education."
She straightened up, regaining her composure.
"My son deserves justice, just like any other child in this school. And I won't allow him to be a victim of your negligence."
The principal silently stared at her, realizing that further arguing was pointless.
Inko left the office, feeling a mix of emotions — anger, relief, anxiety. She knew this was just the beginning, but she was sure she had done the right thing.
When she returned home, Izuku was sitting on the couch, still lost in his gloomy thoughts.
"Mom," he quietly started, "you shouldn't have done that…"
"I had to," she replied firmly, sitting down next to him. "You're my son, Izuku. And I will always fight for you."
Izuku looked at her, and his eyes began to shine with tears. He said nothing, just hugged her, clinging like a small boy who finally felt safe.
Inko realized that the battle was not over. But she knew she would protect her son — and let the truth be her main weapon.
"Izuku, don't you want to eat katsudon?" Inko asked, looking at the stove, which was steaming and emitting vapor.
Izuku caught the scent of the divine food that was intoxicating, and his stomach rumbled, drawing Inko's attention. But hunger took over, and Izuku replied:
"Can I have two servings, Mom?" he asked, looking at his mother, who smiled at his request. After enjoying the delicious food at Inko's request, Izuku went to his room because they were supposed to arrive.
The sound of dishes clattering filled the kitchen, where Inko was preparing tea. Her face showed tension — she knew a difficult conversation lay ahead. Today, she had invited the parents of several of Izuku's classmates, including Mitsuki Bakugo, to discuss how their children treated her son.
The problems had begun yesterday, but now they had reached a peak. Inko hoped this conversation would bring about some change.
The doorbell rang sharply, as if pulling her out of her thoughts. Inko wiped her hands on a towel and hurried to the door.
"Hello, Inko," Mitsuki smiled as she entered the house. Her friendly demeanor was familiar to Inko for many years, but today she saw something different in that smile — a note of caution.
"Hello, Mitsuki. Thank you for coming," Inko replied, inviting her inside.
Soon, the other parents arrived. Four adults seated at the kitchen table looked different: some radiated polite interest, while others clearly felt uncomfortable.
Inko began the conversation, holding a cup of hot tea in her hands as if it helped her maintain her calm.
"Thank you for taking the time to come. I understand our meeting may seem sudden, but this is very important to me."
"We are always ready to talk if there are any problems," Mitsuki said, slightly pursing her lips.
"There are problems," Inko replied firmly, looking her straight in the eyes. "They concern your children's attitude towards my son, Izuku."
Mitsuki frowned, and one of the parents, a man with sharp facial features, snorted.
"And what problems are we talking about?" he asked.
Inko took a deep breath, trying to speak calmly:
"My son is being humiliated, insulted, and now he has even been slandered. He was accused of something he didn't do. And this isn't the first time. I'm sure you don't know about this because your children might not tell you everything. But the situation is becoming unbearable."
Mitsuki furrowed her brows, her face becoming serious.
"Are you saying my son is the instigator?"
"He's not the only one," Inko repeated, her voice remaining calm but firm. "But Katsuki has always treated Izuku with disdain. And that arrogance is contagious. It sets an example for other children, who think it's okay to belittle and laugh at someone."
Mitsuki froze, as if in disbelief.
"Wait a minute, Inko. Are you saying my son is the troublemaker?"
"He's not the only one," she reiterated, her voice still calm but firm. "But Katsuki has always treated Izuku with disdain. And that arrogance is contagious. It sets an example for other children, who think it's okay to belittle and laugh at someone."
Mitsuki opened her mouth to respond, but another mother, a slender woman with long blonde hair, interrupted her.
"Listen, I can't speak for everyone, but my son always says that Izuku brings it on himself. He behaves strangely, is always fidgeting, and… well, how can I put this… he doesn't really fit in."
Inko looked at her with restraint.
"And does that justify mockery? Is that a reason for bullying?"
The woman averted her gaze, unable to find a response.
"Listen, Inko," the same man with sharp features interjected, "kids always act this way. They tease each other; that's part of growing up. Your Izuku just needs to be stronger."
Inko felt anger rising within her, but she tried to keep her composure.
"You're right; kids can tease each other. But there's a difference between playful teasing and deliberately humiliating someone to assert oneself at their expense. That's what's happening to Izuku."
Mitsuki shook her head, her face showing a mix of disbelief and concern.
"I understand you're defending your son. But are you sure he's completely innocent? Maybe he said something that bothered them?"
"I am sure," Inko replied, her voice growing firmer. "Because I know my son. He's not the kind of person who would insult someone."
Silence fell in the room. The parents exchanged glances, some clearly shocked by what they had heard.
"If you think this is just 'kids being kids,' think again," Inko continued. "What's happening is discrimination. And it's destroying my son."
Mitsuki lowered her gaze, nervously fiddling with the edge of her cup.
"Inko…" she finally said softly. "If this is true, then I can't excuse Katsuki. I will talk to him."
"Thank you, Mitsuki," Inko replied, feeling a faint spark of hope.
But the other parents still looked skeptical.
"We will, of course, talk to our kids," said the man. "But remember that any conflict has two sides."
Inko felt her patience wearing thin.
"Two sides?" she repeated, her voice rising. "Have you seen how your child comes home in tears? Have you seen how he tries not to go to school because there he faces humiliation? Have you ever felt what it's like to watch your child break?"
The man lowered his gaze, unable to find words.
"I'm not asking for much," Inko continued, her voice calming again. "I'm asking you to talk to your children. Explain to them that such behavior is unacceptable. Help them understand that bullying is not a game."
Mitsuki nodded, her face showing determination.
"You're right, Inko. I will do that."
The other parents slowly nodded, each accepting her words in their own way.
As the meeting came to an end, Inko escorted the guests to the door. Mitsuki lingered a moment longer.
"You know, Inko," she said, looking her friend in the eyes, "I understand how hard it is for you right now. And if Katsuki really was part of this… I will deal with him."
Inko looked at her with gratitude.
"Thank you, Mitsuki. I hope this helps."
Mitsuki only smiled faintly and left, leaving Inko alone in the quiet of her home.
When the door closed, Inko felt a wave of relief wash over her. After calming down from the exhausting conversation, she called out to Izuku.
"Izuku, you can come out now. They're all gone." Izuku stepped out of his room, wrapping his arms around his mother, who was tired yet filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Hugging his mother, Izuku realized that there were no greater heroes in his life than the people closest to him.
"Mom, are you ready for your birthday tomorrow?" Izuku asked nervously, knowing he hadn't prepared a gift for her yet.
She was ready for this and simply nodded to her son, saying:
"I will have time to celebrate my birthday, Izuku. Let's go to the store together and buy everything we need for it."
Izuku's eyes sparkled, and knowing the recipe for a cake, he decided that while his mom was at work, he could prepare the first baking she would appreciate.
***
Name: Senku
Surname: Saki
Age: 28 years
Nickname: Kaiber
Quirk: Meat Butcher — capable of becoming stronger and faster, requiring live meat.
Flaws: Extremely impulsive. His quirk induces a hunger that drives him mad.
Mental State: Unstable after eating meat, extremely cunning and foresighted.
Victims: 16 people. Primarily attacks lone individuals in deserted places.
Status: Criminal, maniac, rapist, and cannibal.
Appearance: Red hair, unkempt appearance, weight 87 kg. Highly dangerous. Do not engage and flee if you see matching facial features; call law enforcement.
Distinctive Features: Sharp teeth not typical of a normal human, and yellow eyes hidden behind lenses and a mask.
On the night streets walked the very man sought by nearly all law enforcement agencies in the city of Mustafa. The time was 21:56, and in four minutes the streets would empty, as in Japan, after 22:00, a quiet hour begins, and even cars stop driving, except for a few brave souls, who are the targets of Senku.
He spotted a woman exiting a store, lustfully licking his teeth and lips in anticipation of fresh meat. Slim, beautiful, and with a car — it was like hitting the jackpot! The criminal, not wanting to lose his prey due to his hunger, slowly approached to raise his adrenaline levels.
Approaching the white car, he tapped on the window, startling the woman who was trying to start her vehicle. Seeing the unkempt man, she thought he was a homeless person asking for charity. Slightly opening the window, she heard his voice:
"Please, do you have any spare change for food? I'm homeless, I haven't eaten in two days..."
Senku, seeing the woman distracted by her armrest as she retrieved her wallet, felt a rush of excitement, as his new scheme for luring victims worked far better than the previous ones. While she was distracted, the criminal decided to act and, without hesitation, smashed the window with a single punch, frightening the driver.
"Get out, you damned piece of meat!" Senku shouted, opening the door from the inside. The shocked woman couldn't scream or do anything, as the glass shards disoriented her. He grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the car.
"What are you doing?!!" the woman screamed as the maniac stood tall, demonstrating his superiority over her.
"..." He said nothing, only tightening his fists even more. Ensuring that no one was around, he looked at her as she prepared to scream, "Help!"
A blow struck her pretty face, leaving it bruised. He hit her without mercy. She tried to shield herself with her hands, but the maniac was stronger and continued to beat her. Finally remembering the pepper spray in her pocket, she used it, spraying it in his face and momentarily hindering his breathing to escape. She managed to slip away and ran a short distance until she saw him chasing her.
"Get away from me!!!" she screamed, but he didn't listen and ran even faster, grabbing her by her long hair and dragging her into an alley.
"Now you are mine," said the maniac, removing his mask and glasses. The woman was confronted with a horrifying sight: instead of normal teeth, he had a mouth reminiscent of a shark, with yellow, filthy teeth, and drool was dribbling from his chin, hinting at his hunger.
"What do you want from me? I'll give you everything, just leave me alone."
"I don't want anything from you, but I need something from your body," Kaiber replied, pouncing on his victim and sinking his teeth into her neck, tearing the carotid artery. Blood gushed out quickly as the woman clutched at the wound, trying to alleviate the pain. Breathing became heavy, and she could no longer resist. Tasting her flesh, he went wild; his eyes widened in delight. He watched her as she gasped for air, and the flowing blood from her neck excited him even more, wanting to savor her body even deeper.
"You are beautiful," he said, licking his lips. He killed her in the most brutal way, devouring her flesh piece by piece like a hyena. She was long dead, but he continued to relish his dinner, and the driver's license that fell from her pockets caught his attention. Reading her name, he smiled.
"Inko. Inko Midoriya."
***
Izuku sat at home, worried about where his mother had gone, who should have returned a long time ago. He sat at the table, thinking that something had happened to her. He had set the table, baked his first cake, hung up signs, and even made a gift with his own hands.
Inko Midoriya always came home on time. Even if she was late from work, she always warned her son. But today was different.
The clock on the wall showed 22:30, and a tense silence filled the apartment. Eleven-year-old Izuku sat on the couch, gripping the phone tightly. His gaze kept drifting to the door as if his mom would appear any moment. The boy's heart pounded in his chest, and a thought crossed his mind: What if something happened?
He pondered for a long time, trying to calm himself, but the fear for his mom proved stronger. Finally, gathering his courage, Izuku dialed the police with trembling fingers.
"Hello, this is the police. How can we help you?" replied a strict but calm voice of the operator.
"Uh... hello," Izuku's voice trembled, but he tried to speak clearly. "My name is Izuku Midoriya. I'm 11 years old. I... I can't find my mom. She was supposed to be home two hours ago, but she's still not back. I'm worried."
On the other end of the line, the voice softened.
"Izuku, are you at home? Are you safe?"
"Yes, I'm at home," the boy nodded, even though the operator couldn't see him. "I'm alone. Mom always calls, but today... nothing."
"Okay, Izuku. You did the right thing by calling us. We'll check. Do you remember what she said before leaving? Where was she going?"
Izuku paused for a moment, sifting through his memory of his mom's morning words.
"She said she was going to the store after work. She had a long day..."
"Got it. We'll take care of this. Can you stay on the line?"
Izuku nodded again, gripping the phone tighter.
"Yes..."
He sat in complete silence, hearing only his own breathing and the occasional voices from the other end of the line. Hope battled with fear. But in that moment, he knew one thing: he wouldn't stop until he was sure his mom was okay.
There was a knock at the door, and he prepared himself, putting on a festive hat and holding a piece of cake. Here it was, his mom finally returned, thanks to the police.
When he opened the door, he never expected to see anyone but his mother.
To be continued...
[3 chapter's until venom apearance]