The sky was painted in warm evening gold as Adam stood outside a modest but well-kept apartment building tucked into a quiet street of Musutafu. Using the address Izuku had sent him earlier, he made his way up a narrow flight of stairs to the second floor, stopping in front of a dark green door labeled "203."
He barely knocked before the door opened, revealing a slightly surprised but smiling Izuku, now out of his usual hunter uniform and dressed casually in a dark hoodie and sweatpants.
"Adam! You're early," Izuku said, stepping aside. "Come on in."
Adam gave a half-grin and entered, taking note of the clean but cozy apartment. The entry led into a small hallway with framed photos of Izuku as a child, some of him with a woman he could only assume was his mother. He was guided into the living room, minimalistic but warm, a low table sitting atop a green rug with two floor cushions already set out.
"Make yourself at home," Izuku offered, disappearing briefly to the kitchen.
Adam sat, eyes scanning the space, until Izuku reappeared with two glasses of cold tea. He handed one over and sat cross-legged across from him.
"Where's your mom?" Adam asked, taking a sip.
"She went out to buy ingredients. Said she's making katsudon," Izuku said, grinning a bit sheepishly. "She only makes it for special occasions. I think she's happy someone's visiting."
That drew a faint chuckle from Adam. "Special occasion, huh? She must really like having guests."
"She gets a little excited about this kind of stuff. It's just been the two of us most of my life."
The conversation drifted toward casual topics—city life, heroes they'd seen in public, favorite convenience store snacks—until Adam leaned forward, tapping his fingers lightly against the rim of his glass.
"I actually came for more than just dinner," he said. "I put together a custom training plan for you."
Izuku blinked, eyebrows rising. "You did… what?"
"A serious one"
His phone projected a condensed version of the plan midair between them tahnks to Nano's modification. As Izuku's eyes moved across it, the further he read, the paler he looked.
"This is… intense. Like… mercenary bootcamp intense," he muttered, voice unsure. "And this is supposed to be done every day?"
"You wanted to grow stronger, didn't you?" Adam said, calm but firm. "You said you wanted to be stronger, no longer look down upon. This is how you can make it possible"
There was a long pause. Izuku hesitated, fingers tightening around his glass. But after a moment, his lips pressed into a determined line and he gave a short nod.
"Alright. Let's do it."
"Good," Adam said, a faint smile touching his lips. "We'll start tomorrow."
They spent the next few minutes comparing notes on their dungeon run. Izuku recalled the cold sweat when the monster lunged at him, how powerless he'd felt—and how fast Adam had shut that fear down. Adam kept the details light, focusing more on what Izuku could learn from the encounter rather than his own overwhelming strength.
Then came the familiar sound of keys in the lock.
Click.
The door opened and a soft, cheerful voice rang through the entryway.
"I'm home~! And I brought the good soy sauce this time, Izuku!"
Adam turned his head toward the hallway and paused as she stepped inside.
Inko Midoriya.
But not the soft, round woman he'd expected from the anime. She was medium height, toned in a way that spoke of routine activity and light workouts. Her figure was mature but well-maintained, subtle muscle lines visible beneath the simple blouse she wore, paired with a casual skirt. Her green eyes—Izuku's same shade—sparkled when they met his.
"Oh! You must be Adam!" she smiled brightly, setting down a grocery bag before coming over. "I'm Inko. It's so nice to finally meet you!"
"Likewise," Adam said politely, standing.
As she bustled off to the kitchen, Adam silently activated Nano.
"Scan her."
[Target Scan: Inko Midoriya]
ParameterGrade:
Physical Strength: C
Speed: D+
Stamina: C+
Mana Output: C
Sensory Acuity: C
Ability Gravitokinesis: (C-Rank)
Status Registered – Civilian
Occupation: Office Admin, Civil Safety Dept.
Relationship Status: Widowed (Husband deceased before Izuku's birth)
Emotional State:
Gratitude: High
Happiness: Moderate-High
Curiosity: Medium
Lust: High
"So… she's stronger than she looks," Adam muttered internally.
[Correct. For a civilian, her stats are above average. Her ability Gravitokinesis is more about precision rather than destructiveness. Her emotional profile suggests long-term suppression of romantic and physical affection. Last sexual activity recorded was when Izuku was 2 years old, the encounter was arranged via dating app. No further activity since then.]
Adam blinked once, digesting the data. He cast a glance toward the kitchen, where Inko was humming softly, preparing the ingredients.
'Years of silence' he thought. 'The frustration buried under daily routines'
The scent of simmering soy, onions, and dashi filled the apartment as the plates were finally set on the table. A large, steaming bowl of katsudon took center stage, flanked by pickled vegetables and miso soup. Inko's hospitality was as warm as the food itself, and Adam couldn't deny—this was the most comfortable he'd felt in a long time.
"You really didn't have to go all out," he said, taking a bite. "But I'm glad you did."
"It's my pleasure," Inko smiled, her cheeks faintly pink from the heat of the kitchen. "Izuku doesn't bring friends over often… let alone someone from the field."
Izuku chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I figured it was time."
They talked, laughed a little, and shared easy silences as they ate. Adam found himself enjoying not just the food, but the atmosphere. The scent of home. The sound of two people who had only ever relied on each other making space for someone new.
Eventually, Izuku stood to take the trash out.
"I'll be back in a sec."
The door closed behind him.
And in the quiet that followed, Inko glanced across the table, her eyes softening.
"He really looks up to you," she said, voice quieter now. "You've given him hope, more than I think you realize."
Adam set down his chopsticks, sensing something shift.
"He's stronger than he thinks. He's already walking his own path," he said simply.
Inko smiled faintly but looked down at her hands, fingers curling slightly in her lap.
"I… I was so scared he'd break under it all. His father—he disappeared in a dungeon 19 years ago. We never even recovered a body. I had to change everything… new job, new life. And Izuku… he had no ability, no power. But he still chose this world."
Her voice cracked just barely.
Adam leaned forward slightly, not out of pressure but presence.
"He'll make it," he said with quiet certainty. "With enough time and the right mindset, he could reach S-rank."
Inko's eyes widened, glossed with emotion.
"Please… help him. Don't let him get lost like his father."
Adam gave a soft breath, looking into her eyes—not pitying, but firm.
"I'm helping him because he's my friend," he said. "Not because someone asked me to. I want to see where he takes it."
Inko looked at him for a long, quiet moment. Then, slowly, she nodded.
Just then, a soft ding echoed in his vision. A small pop-up hovered in the corner of his vision.
[System Notification]
Subject: Inko Midoriya
Emotional Spike Detected – Lust Levels: Elevated (Critical Threshold)
Adam's eyes flicked away subtly. He recognized the look—the quiet loneliness of someone who had carried burdens alone for too long. He reached for his phone, smoothly typing something out before offering it to her.
"Here," he said casually. "My number. If Izuku ever needs help—or advice—just message me."
She took the phone slowly. Their fingers brushed, and the air between them stilled.
"Thank you…" she said, voice barely above a whisper. But her eyes said something else. They both understood the silent implication.
Just then, the door opened again.
"Man, I saw something crazy on my way back," Izuku said, walking in. "You're on the net!"
Adam raised a brow.
"What?"
"An article just dropped. 'A-Rank Hunter Solos C-Class Dungeon—Newcomer or Prodigy?' Your face is blurred, but I mean, I know it's you."
Adam exhaled through his nose with a faint smirk. "Word travels fast, huh?"
He stood, brushing off his pants.
"I sent you the training plan. Start tomorrow. And take it seriously."
Izuku nodded eagerly. "I will."
Inko walked with Adam to the door.
"You know…" she said softly. "There's a spare room. You could stay the night. Have breakfast with us tomorrow before leaving"
Adam paused for a moment, looking at her, then toward Izuku.
"Tempting. But I've got some business to take care of."
He stepped out into the cool evening air, pausing briefly at the top of the stairs.
"Thanks for the meal," he added, glancing over his shoulder.
Inko smiled—something between grateful and wistful.
"Anytime."
As he walked down the steps, the soft hum of the apartment faded behind him, and the wind carried the scent of soy and spices down the quiet street.