The Force Of Nature

shadows of the truth

The morning sunlight filtered weakly through the curtains as Inko Midoriya stood in her living room, wringing her hands. Across from her sat two officers, their uniforms crisp but their faces grave. The air was thick with tension, and Inko could feel the weight of every unsaid word pressing down on her shoulders.

Izuku sat on the couch beside her mother, her small frame barely making an imprint on the cushions. She was quiet, her wide green eyes staring blankly at the table in front of her, as if trying to make herself invisible. Inko had decided not to tell her anything—not yet.

"Mrs. Midoriya," one of the officers began, his voice low and measured, "we're here regarding Detective Okabe."

Inko nodded stiffly, her hands tightening around the fabric of her skirt. "I understand. I'll do my best to help."

The officer exchanged a glance with his partner before continuing. "Detective Okabe was found dead early this morning. We're still investigating the circumstances, but it appears he was the victim of a violent attack. His... injuries were extensive."

The words hit Inko like a physical blow. She inhaled sharply, but her expression remained composed. She couldn't afford to break down now. Not with Izuku sitting right there, her daughter blissfully unaware of the horrors surrounding them.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Inko said, her voice trembling but steady. "He was... he was looking into what happened during the break-in, wasn't he?"

"Yes," the second officer confirmed. "His investigation centered around your family, particularly your daughter."

At that, Inko's heart skipped a beat. She had known Okabe was digging too deeply, but to hear it spoken aloud, to see the accusatory undertone in the officer's gaze—it was almost too much.

"My daughter?" Inko asked cautiously, glancing at Izuku, who remained silent, her small hands folded neatly in her lap.

"Yes, Mrs. Midoriya. Detective Okabe believed there was more to the situation than what was reported. He had questions about your daughter's quirk."

Inko's stomach twisted into knots. She knew where this line of questioning was headed, and she wasn't sure she could handle it. But she also knew she had no choice. She had to protect Izuku, no matter what.

"I don't know what he was looking for," Inko said carefully. "Izuku's quirk... it's complicated. It's not something we fully understand, but she's still just a little girl. She couldn't have..." Her voice trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought.

"Mrs. Midoriya," the first officer interrupted gently, "we're not accusing anyone of anything. We're just trying to piece together what happened. Can you tell us about Detective Okabe's last visit to your home?"

Inko hesitated, her mind racing. She thought back to the night Okabe had visited, the way his eyes had lingered on Izuku, the way he had pressed for answers she couldn't give. She had seen the desperation in him, the way his questions had grown more frantic as if he was unraveling before her eyes.

"He came by a few days ago," Inko said finally. "He was asking about Izuku's quirk, about what happened during the break-in. I told him everything I could, but I think... I think he was looking for something more."

"Did he seem agitated?" the officer asked.

Inko nodded. "Yes. He seemed... obsessed. Like he couldn't let it go. I think he was afraid of what he didn't understand."

The officer jotted down some notes before looking back up at her. "Did anything unusual happen after that? Any interactions that stood out?"

Inko shook her head quickly. "No, nothing. He left, and we haven't seen or heard from him since."