Chapter 33: A Formal Apology
Izuku stood outside the gates of the Yaoyorozu estate, taking in the sheer size of the property before him.
"Yeah. This is exactly what I expected."
The massive mansion behind the gates was more akin to a small palace, with towering pillars, well-maintained gardens, and pristine pathways leading up to the main entrance.
"Rich people, man."
He had dressed as formally as he could, a plain black button-up, neatly pressed pants, and his usual sneakers. He didn't have anything fancier, but he figured as long as he was respectful, it would be fine.
Taking a deep breath, he reached out and pressed the intercom button beside the gate.
A second later, a voice crackled through the speaker.
"Yes?"
Izuku straightened. "This is Izuku Midoriya. I'm here to see the Yaoyorozu family."
A brief pause. Then
"You are expected. Please wait a moment."
A soft click sounded as the gates slowly opened.
Izuku stepped forward, walking along the stone pathway leading to the main entrance.
As he approached the grand double doors, they opened, revealing a well-dressed butler.
"Mr. Midoriya," the butler greeted with a bow. "Please, follow me."
Izuku nodded, stepping inside.
The interior of the mansion was just as extravagant as the outside. Marble floors, high ceilings, and walls lined with expensive artwork.
"No wonder she didn't react to the U.A. facilities. This place is probably bigger."
The butler led him through the hallways, stopping at a set of large wooden doors.
"The Master and Mistress are expecting you," he said before knocking gently.
"Enter," came a deep, composed voice.
The butler pushed the doors open and gestured for Izuku to step inside.
Izuku walked in.
At the far end of the spacious sitting room, a man and a woman sat on an elegant couch, sipping tea.
They were of course, Momo's parents.
Momo herself sat to the side, dressed in a casual yet elegant outfit. She looked better than yesterday, though there was still a faint tiredness in her expression.
Her father was a tall, imposing man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp, calculating eyes. His posture was perfect, radiating an undeniable presence.
Her mother, in contrast, had softer features but carried herself with the same grace and authority.
Izuku swallowed subtly.
"Okay. This is probably the most intimidating thing I've done in this world so far."
The man set his tea down and gestured toward the single chair across from them.
"Midoriya Izuku," he said. "Please, have a seat."
Izuku nodded politely and sat down, keeping his back straight.
A brief silence settled over the room as Momo's father studied him. Then
"You have something to say, I assume?"
Izuku inhaled deeply.
"Yes, sir," he said firmly. "I came to formally apologize for what happened during the Battle Training exercise."
Momo's mother sipped her tea, watching him quietly.
Momo herself remained silent, observing.
Nothing no reaction, This feels like a mafia movie vibe, is there a gun here.... Izuku thought to himself. Izuku continued.
"I… went too far," he admitted. "I treated it more like a real battle than a training exercise, and because of that, Momo ended up getting seriously hurt."
Momo's father raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Izuku kept his gaze firm. "I take full responsibility. I should have been more aware of my actions, and I understand that what I did was unacceptable. That's why I came here today to personally apologize, both to Momo and to you, her parents."
Another pause.
Momo's father exchanged a glance with his wife before turning back to Izuku.
"Hmph." He leaned back, folding his arms. "Well, at least you understand the weight of your actions."
His gaze hardened slightly. "But tell me, Midoriya… Did you come here because you truly wanted to, or because you were told to?"
Izuku's fists clenched slightly on his lap.
He could lie.
He could say he had come on his own accord.
But he didn't.
"My father ordered me to come," he admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that I wanted to."
Momo's mother finally spoke. "Oh?"
Izuku nodded. "Even if he hadn't told me to, I still would have apologized. Maybe not in person, but… I knew I messed up. I would have found a way to make things right."
Momo's father studied him for a long moment.
Then, unexpectedly... He smiled.
"Hah. Good answer."
Izuku blinked.
"I can appreciate honesty," Momo's father said. "And I respect that you didn't try to make excuses."
Momo's mother nodded in agreement. "We accept your apology, Midoriya."
Izuku exhaled, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Momo's father leaned forward slightly. "However."
Izuku tensed again.
"Tell me something, young man," he said, his voice calm but sharp. "If you could redo the match… would you fight differently?"
Izuku thought about it.
Would he?
He had no regrets about winning.
But…
"I wouldn't have knocked her out so quickly."
"I'd still try to win," Izuku admitted. "But I wouldn't have gone all-out like I did. Not in a school setting, at least."
Momo's mother smiled faintly. "A reasonable answer."
Momo, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke.
"I accept your apology, Midoriya," she said simply.
Izuku turned to her, studying her expression.
She wasn't angry.
If anything, she looked… curious.
As if she was trying to figure him out.
"Thanks," he said.
Her lips quirked slightly.
Momo's father clapped his hands together. "Well, that settles that. Midoriya, you are welcome here anytime."
Izuku stiffened slightly.
Wait. What? Why?
Momo's mother chuckled at his reaction. "We like young people with ambition and honesty," she said. "And you seem to have both."
Izuku had no idea how to respond to that.
So he simply nodded. "I, uh… appreciate it."
Momo's father smiled. "Now then. Would you like to stay for tea?"
Izuku internally panicked.
I was not prepared for this. He thought to himself.
But, at the same time…
If he said no, would that be rude?
Glancing at Momo, she simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
After a brief hesitation, Izuku sighed.
"Sure. I'll stay for tea."
Momo's mother smiled approvingly. "Wonderful."
And just like that, he found himself staying longer than planned.