Yes, Maybe, No | BakuDeku ✔

chapter-17

🎃🎃 Happy Halloween !! 🎃🎃

The morning light filtered softly through the windows, glowing gently on the surroundings. Izuku felt unusually calm as he emerged from his room, the weight of the past night's turmoil seemingly lifted. His gaze shifted to the living room, where he found his mother sitting on the couch, her eyes fixed on the outside world, lost in thought.

A quiet understanding settled over Izuku as he observed her from a distance. The previous night's events had shifted his perspective, allowing him to see his mother in a new light. The realization that her actions, while hurtful, stemmed from a place of concern had cast a different hue on their relationship. He had chosen to forgive and open the door to healing, recognizing that Inko's struggles were intertwined with his own.

A sense of purpose fueled his movements as he got ready for college. His path forward was more straightforward now—focused on his studies, dreams, and building a future that transcended the cycle of abuse. The memory of the embrace, the tears, and the shared vulnerability continued to resonate within him, a reminder that change was possible.

Just as he was about to leave, his mother's voice called out from the kitchen. The sound was different now, devoid of the anger and tension that had characterized their interactions. Curiosity piqued, Izuku walked toward the kitchen, finding his mother preparing breakfast with a gentleness he hadn't witnessed in a long time.

"Hey, sweetie," Inko said softly, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of earnestness and warmth. "I made your favorite breakfast. Sit down, let's talk."

Izuku felt a tentative smile tug at his lips as he sat at the kitchen table. The air was charged with a newfound sense of possibility, and he was willing to embrace it. "Thanks, Mom."

She offered him a plate of pancakes, her expression reflective. "I wanted to say again how sorry I am for everything, Izu. Last night was a wake-up call for me, a moment of clarity."

Izuku's heart swelled with a mixture of emotions—forgiveness, hope, and a desire for healing. He accepted the plate; his voice was soft but sincere. "I know, Mom. And I forgive you."

She looked at him, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you."

Izuku noticed the wine glass beside his mother's plate as he sat at the kitchen table. An internal conflict arose within him, a battle between his desire to believe in the positive change and the lingering suspicion that her apology might be short-lived. He reminded himself that people can change and that forgiveness and hope are essential for healing. 

With an effort to focus on the present, the green-eyed boy chose to ignore the wine glass and the doubts that nagged at him. He steadied his thoughts, determined to approach the situation with an open heart. It was a conscious decision to give his mother a chance, to see if her words held the potential for transformation.

Standing up, he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, the gesture reflecting his tentative embrace of their renewed connection. "I'll see you later, Mom," he said, his voice bringing warmth and hope.

Inko offered a soft smile in return, her eyes glimmering with sincerity. "Take care, Izu."

With a final glance, he grabbed a pancake and stuffed it into his mouth, his movements imbued with urgency. He knew the bus was waiting and couldn't afford to be late for college.

Rushing out of the house, Izuku's heartbeat with a mix of determination and unease. The memory of the previous night's vulnerability and the morning's breakfast conversation swirled in his mind. He tried to shake off the lingering doubts and focus on the possibilities of change.