Saving Me [Monoma x Reader]

15. Mom

"Mom..?"

I was surprised to find the welcoming scent of homemade food floating about from the kitchen when I came home. Mom was supposed to be at work today, but she had her food factory running for some reason.

"[Y/N]!! Welcome home, dear!" Mom dashed in from the kitchen, scooping me into a quick hug and planting a fast kiss on my head before rushing back. I saw that she still had her black suit on. "I had some extra time for my break today, so I decided to come home for a bit and make you dinner! I have a late shift tonight, so don't wait up for me!"

I heard metal clanging and the bubbling of sauce as I smiled. "Thanks, Mom. You work way too hard."

Mom worked at the Hero Public Safety Commission. It was how she met Dad when he began to reach the height of his career as a pro hero. She was quirkless, and he had one, but that didn't matter to them. They fell in love, and the rest is history.

Setting my bag aside and hanging my coat over the back of a chair, I stepped over to the sink and washed my hands. "Let me help."

"Thanks, dear!"

She was like a wizard in the kitchen. Even though it was only the two of us, she could pump out crazy amounts of food if she wanted to, and food that made the taste buds sing. I haven't told her about Lunch Rush, though.

"Soooo? How was your day at school?"

My hands went to work, chopping away at an onion. "It was... actually pretty good."

"Oh!! Good, I'm so glad to hear that. Tell me all about it!"

And so I did. I told her about Aizawa's feedback. I told her about how I held my ground against Bakugo. I told her about how Midoriya was elected as the class representative, but he handed over the position to Iida after how the latter handled the school's mad rush into the hallways. I told her about Monoma pestering me again and how the sisterhood plus Todoroki had my back. I told her about how I punched him in the hallway. She laughed. Then I told her about my train ride home with Hagakure.

"How about inviting your friends over, sometime? I would love to meet them!"

"Yeah..." A small smile formed on my lips. "I think I will."

Mom hummed in delight, then her eyes fell on me. "I see more and more of your father in you every day, [Y/N]." Her voice was gentle as she squinted a smile.

My eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Oh, yes! You may not remember, but you used to have such a sparky personality when you were younger!"

"O-... oh. I did?"

I remembered some of my elementary days, that I was happier back then, more carefree, and had a big dream. I also remembered when Dad took me to the vista point. Those memories I hold very close to my heart. I remembered some of my crushes and friends, too, but everything else was lost in detail.

"Dad was so proud of you when you helped other kids at your school. You chased off the bullies!"

"Wait... what?" That was weird to hear. I was had so many memories of being the one getting picked on in middle school. I guess those memories overshadowed the others in which I was the one doing the defending.

She laughed again. "You were pretty young." She scooped and sprinkled ingredients into her pan. "As for what happened today, most parents probably wouldn't like to hear that their daughter punched someone in high school, but given context, I think he got what he deserved." She patted my head with her free hand. "I'm proud of you."

I knew that Mom supported me. She always did, which was why I told her everything. Of course, she scolded and disciplined me when needed, yet she was always there to listen and understood where I came from. She would always tell me that she was proud of me, too, but something felt different about today's conversation, and I wondered where it would lead.

Mom began to turn the stove and fans off. The food was almost ready.

"I know... that losing your father was painful."

My eyes slowly lifted up to look at her. Here it was.

"He was a great man, and I know you looked up to him so much. He was your hero."

"Mom..."

Both of us started getting glassy-eyed with water pooling at the bottom of our eyelids. We both missed him. Terribly.

"It was one thing to lose him, but seeing what happened to you broke my heart. It pained me to see you so quiet." She wiped a loose tear that trailed down the side of her cheek and sniffled. "But... seeing you now, closer to your dreams, making friends, and smiling again, it makes me so happy!" She sniffled again, but a smile widened on her lips. "It makes me so happy to see more of you again."

"Aw... Mom..." I started sniffling, too, and pulled her into a hug and we held each other.

"Maybe I shouldn't be saying this as a mother, but I'm glad you punched that boy. I hope he has a crooked nose after today."

I snorted. It was one of the ugliest sounds I had ever made because I wanted to laugh, but I was crying at the same time.

"I'm sorry I can't be like your father and teach you more about your quirk. I wish there was more I could do for your path as a hero, but I promise that I'm always here for you."

"Mom... you've done so much for me. I could never ask for anything more," I croaked with a lump still in my throat, but I was smiling into her arms. "You're my hero, too."