The train rattled to a stop, the familiar screech of brakes a welcome sound to Izuku. He hefted his backpack, a worn All Might design, and pushed his way through the throng of students eager to escape the confines of UA. Home. He was finally going home for spring break.
The last few months at UA had been a whirlwind of training, exams, and near-death experiences (he shuddered internally). While he cherished the growth he experienced and the friends he made, the constant pressure had left him yearning for the comforting normalcy of his mother's embrace.
Stepping onto the platform, Izuku's eyes immediately scanned the crowd. His breath hitched when he saw her. Inko Midoriya, his mom, stood waving, a bright, slightly watery smile illuminating her face. Even from a distance, he could feel the radiating warmth of her love.
"Izuku!" she called, her voice choked with emotion.
He broke into a sprint, backpack bouncing against his back, and collided with her in a hug. A real, genuine, Mom-hug. All the tension of the past few months seemed to melt away as he buried his face in her soft hair.
"Mom, I missed you so much," he mumbled, trying to keep the tears at bay.
"Oh, Izuku, my baby," she squeezed him tighter. "Look at you! You've grown so much. I missed you terribly."
The train station faded into a blur as he basked in her presence. This was it. This was the reset button he desperately needed.
The ride home was filled with excited chatter. He recounted tales of his classes, the quirks of his classmates, and the occasional heroic act he managed to pull off (downplaying the dangers, of course, because he knew his mom would worry). Inko, in turn, shared news of the neighborhood, the gossip at the local supermarket, and the progress of the cherry blossoms in the park. It was simple, ordinary, and utterly perfect.
The familiar sight of their cozy apartment building brought a fresh wave of nostalgia. As they stepped inside, the scent of home – a blend of lavender, freshly baked bread (from a few days ago, confessed Inko), and something indefinably "Mom" – enveloped him.
"I thought we could do some spring cleaning this week," Inko suggested, her eyes twinkling. "The apartment could use a good refresh, and it would be nice to spend some time together."
Izuku grinned. "Sounds great, Mom! I'm ready to tackle anything."
And tackle it they did. The next few days were a blur of feather dusters, vacuum cleaners, and the satisfying scent of lemon-scented cleaner. Izuku, surprisingly, found a strange joy in scrubbing floors and organizing dusty shelves. It was a mindful activity, a welcome contrast to the chaotic world of hero training. He even unearthed some childhood treasures – forgotten action figures, his first All Might comic book, and a drawing he made for his mom when he was five, depicting her as a superhero with a spatula as her weapon.
Inko, beaming, framed the drawing and hung it in the kitchen. "See? I always knew I was destined for greatness!" she joked, earning a playful shove from Izuku.
Cleaning wasn't the only item on their spring break agenda. Cooking became another shared activity. Inko, a masterful cook, patiently guided Izuku through her recipes. He chopped vegetables with surprising dexterity (thanks to his training, he secretly thought), learned the art of kneading dough, and even attempted to flip an omelet (with less-than-stellar results, much to Inko's amusement).
One afternoon, they decided to bake a batch of All Might-shaped cookies. Izuku carefully piped icing onto each cookie, trying to capture the hero's signature smile. Inko, meanwhile, created a batch of mini-Inkos, each one sporting a tiny apron. They ate them warm from the oven, laughing and covered in flour.
Evenings were reserved for movies. They snuggled on the couch, wrapped in soft blankets, and watched old Ghibli films, quoting their favorite lines and sharing bowls of popcorn. Izuku, for once, allowed himself to truly relax, letting go of the anxieties and pressures of UA. He was just Izuku, Inko's son, safe and loved.
One rainy afternoon, as they were watching "My Neighbor Totoro" for the hundredth time, Izuku paused the movie. He turned to his mom, his expression serious.
"Mom," he began hesitantly, "I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. For always believing in me, even when I doubted myself. For being the best mom in the world."
Inko's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and cupped his face in her hands.
"Oh, Izuku," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You don't need to thank me. You are my everything. Seeing you grow into such a kind, brave young man… it's all I could ever ask for."
She pulled him into another hug, a long, silent embrace that spoke volumes. He knew, in that moment, that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would always have his mom's love to anchor him.
As the week drew to a close, a bittersweet feeling settled over Izuku. He cherished the time he spent with his mom, the laughter they shared, and the comforting familiarity of home. But he also knew that he had to return to UA, to continue his training and strive to become the hero he aspired to be.
On the morning of his departure, Inko packed him a lunchbox filled with his favorite onigiri, carefully wrapped in an All Might-themed cloth. As they stood on the platform, waiting for the train, she held his hand tightly.
"Be careful, Izuku," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Don't push yourself too hard. Remember to take care of yourself. And call me, okay? Whenever you have a moment."
Izuku nodded, fighting back tears. "I will, Mom. I promise."
The train arrived, its doors hissing open. He hugged Inko one last time, a tight, lingering embrace.
"I love you, Mom," he whispered.
"I love you too, Izuku. More than words can say."
He stepped onto the train, found a window seat, and watched as Inko waved goodbye, her figure growing smaller as the train pulled away. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass, a lump forming in his throat.
As the train sped towards Musutafu, Izuku opened his lunchbox. The familiar scent of home – rice, seaweed, and Inko's love – filled his senses. He smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile. He knew, with absolute certainty, that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He had been recharged, rejuvenated, and reminded of what truly mattered. He had spent spring break with his mom, and it was the best vacation he could have ever asked for. He wasn't just a hero in training; he was Inko Midoriya's son, and that was a strength unlike any other. The adventure at UA continued, but now, he carried the warmth of home with him, a constant reminder of the love and support that would always be there for him, no matter what.