The moment I stepped through the door of our house, the familiar scent of my mom's cooking hit me like a wave, instantly making me feel at home. It was as if everything outside—everything I had just been through—had melted away. Mom's voice echoed from the kitchen, singing her usual energetic tune as she hummed while preparing dinner.

Mom: "Welcome home, Izuku!" 

She called out, her voice brimming with warmth and excitement. I could hear the clatter of utensils and the sizzle of something cooking on the stove.

I kicked off my shoes by the door and smiled to myself. This was exactly what I needed—a moment of peace, even if it was just for a little while. The exam had been exhausting, physically and mentally draining, but coming home to my mom's love and energy made everything feel a little lighter.

I walked into the kitchen to find her bustling about, her hands moving quickly from one pot to another. She was dressed in her usual apron, her hair tied up in a messy bun, but her face was glowing with pride.

She turned around and grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Mom: "My hero is back!" 

She exclaimed, nearly skipping over to give me a hug. She wrapped her arms around me tightly, pulling me into one of her signature bear hugs.

Mom: "How did it go? How do you feel? Oh, I've been so nervous for you, but I know you did amazing, Izuku. You're the best!"

I chuckled, squeezing her back. It wasn't hard to see where I got my enthusiasm from. Mom was always like this—overly supportive, but in the most endearing way. She was always my biggest cheerleader, even when I felt like I had nothing to offer. Her love and belief in me had never wavered, and in moments like this, I couldn't help but feel like I could take on the world.

Me: "I think it went well," I said, pulling away from her embrace. "But, uh... it was really tough. There were some parts where I wasn't sure if I could make it."

My mom waved off my concerns with a laugh, her eyes twinkling.

Mom: "Of course you did! You're Izuku Midoriya, my brilliant, wonderful son!" she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I don't care if you don't have a quirk. I've seen you work harder than anyone else. You've got determination, heart, and the brains to back it all up. You're the best, Izuku! There's no one who's better than you!"

I felt my cheeks flush, not used to hearing my mom sing my praises like this, but it was impossible not to smile at her enthusiasm. She was practically bouncing on her feet, practically glowing with pride. If there were a contest for the most passionate parent, she'd win every time.

She started pulling out plates and arranging food on the table, all while continuing her pep talk.

Mom: "I mean, look at you! You might not have a flashy quirk, but that doesn't matter, does it? You've got something even better—your heart! And your smarts! You've got the strength of a hundred people packed into that one little body of yours. You're unstoppable, Izuku. You're going to be the greatest hero the world has ever seen. I just know it."

I could feel my heart swelling at her words. It was hard to stay humble with her giving me all this encouragement. But honestly, it wasn't the praise that meant the most to me—it was the unwavering belief she had in me. She didn't just support me; she knew I could do it. Her confidence in me never seemed to falter, even when I doubted myself.

She placed a bowl of steaming rice on the table and gestured for me to sit.

Mom: "Sit, sit! Let me feed you, my champion!" 

she said, her hands moving a mile a minute as she plated my favorite dishes—fried chicken, steamed vegetables, and a special soup that she always made when she was particularly excited or proud of something I'd done.

I sat down at the table, my stomach already rumbling in anticipation. As much as I wanted to tell her about the exam, I knew she'd only get more worked up about it, so I decided to let her keep talking.

Mom: "I'm telling you, Izuku, all those other parents? They can say what they want, but when it comes down to it, no one's kid is going to be better than you. I'm so proud of you, and you've worked harder than anyone else—quirkless or not! You're going to make it, I just know it! And when you do, I'll be there, cheering you on the loudest, no matter what anyone says."

She started clapping her hands, her voice rising with excitement.

Mom: "I'll go to war with anyone who doubts my son!" she declared dramatically, as though she were preparing for battle. "I'll tell them, 'Izuku Midoriya is going to be the greatest hero the world has ever seen! And anyone who says otherwise has to deal with me!'"

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. My mom could be so over-the-top at times, but it was endearing in the most ridiculous way. She really believed in me—and she wasn't afraid to make sure the world knew it.

Me: "Thanks, Mom! I really appreciate it. You've always been there for me, and I'll do my best to make you proud."

She paused for a moment, her eyes softening as she looked at me with a loving expression.

Mom: "I'm already proud, Izuku. You don't have to prove anything to me. Just keep being you, and I know you'll do amazing things. No one can stand in your way, because you've got the kind of strength that can't be measured with a quirk. You've got something far more important—your heart."

I felt a lump form in my throat at her words. It was hard to express just how much they meant to me. After everything I had gone through, after all the struggles and doubts, this—this unconditional support—was everything I needed to keep going.

As we sat down to eat, the chatter continued, but it was different. This time, I wasn't just the kid who had no quirk. I was the kid who could do anything, because my mom believed I could. And that was all the confidence I needed.

Me: "Alright, let's see if I can make it through this whole thing without embarrassing myself."

My mom grinned, practically glowing with pride as she took a seat beside me.

Mom: "You could never embarrass me, Izuku. You're my son, and you're the best thing that ever happened to me. Now, eat up! The best hero in the world needs to keep his strength up!"

Her words are my strength.

She always was.

Just like parkour was my way of getting my head free....

and Kaito?

Well he was the best friend I could ever have.

I would make it through with all this on my side!