Compulsion

Chapter 60: Trust and Cooperation

"Good morning, Ms. Inko."

Yu reached out and shook Midoriya Inko's hand as she took a seat at the corner booth. She returned it with a smile. "Good morning, Yu, and please, you don't have to refer to me as a 'Ms'." They were meeting in a cafe near the new shopping plaza in Musutafu. Yu was sufficiently dressed up to avoid being recognized with an elegant pair of sunglasses to boot. Inko was dressed in scrubs, underneath a pale cardigan.

"No problem, Inko." She quickly followed up with, "How's Midoriya?"

"Recovering, slowly, steadily." She then asked, "Have you contacted him at all?"

"Since he was discharged? A text or two, but..." Yu rubbed her cheek. "Well, it's all been kinda chaotic since Woods has been... out of commission." She sighed, "I didn't realize how much he patrolled, and people where he usually did patrol have been... jumpy. Lots of false alarms."

"Are you doing okay?"

"Tired, but I'll be fine." She offered, "How are you?"

"Going back to work has been... fulfilling in its own way," said Inko. She cleared her throat. "What do you know about U.A?"

"Uh... It's one of the most prestigious schools in the country... Um... a bunch of Pro-Heroes, usually alumni, teach there," Yu answered. "I actually had an interview set up with one of the teachers about Heroine costumes, but after the whole-well, you know."

"Hm..."

"Why do you ask?" she asked.

"Izuku received an offer to attend U.A. by its principal," answered Inko. "Since Recovery-Girl works there and all..."

Yu nodded, "But, he's already attended Shiketsu for over half a semester."

"And, he's made very good friends there..."

"So, why consider U.A.?"

Inko was quiet for a moment before saying, "Has Izuku informed you what happened when the Hero Killer attacked Ingenium near Shiketsu? Or rather, what happened after?"

Yu shook her head before Inko laid out everything that had happened that day of the Sports Festival. As she told the story of how her son encountered the Hero Killer, her face reddened and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. In spite of the offer to stop, she persisted. She told the Hero about how Ingenium was saved, Midoriya was hospitalized, and mostly... how the school responded.

"I can understand the thought process, but..." Yu shook her head. "You're worried about how they'll treat him now."

Inko sighed, "I've been waiting for the Principal's call. Some long-winded reason as to why he has to be punished, but... nothing."

"Maybe, they won't."

"Maybe." She shook her head. "I'm just... worried." She fidgeted with her cup. "If he's going to continue this, he needs a place that will actually support him. Look out for him."

Yu rubbed her cheek. "Well, Shiketsu has been helping us keep his name out of the media."

"But is that because it's the right thing to do or just for their own self interest?" she questioned.

"That..." Yu trailed off. "So, you think U.A. is a safer choice?"

"The Principal himself invited him." Inko frowned, "It has to be, right?" She blinked, "W-Wait... that boy..."

"What?"

Inko almost scowled, "A boy that used to bull- " She seemingly corrected herself. "A boy that I don't want Izuku anywhere near attends U.A. now."