Chapter 11
"Today's the day!" Himiko announced excitedly as she jumped onto Momo's bed, landing right on top of Izuku and forcing him to wake up. "Come on, come on, come on! The faster we get going, the sooner we can see Ochako!"
"Himiko!" Izuku yelled out, circling his arms around Himiko and pulling her into a hug, causing her to squirm within his welcoming arms.
"Let go! We have to get ready! I can't wait to see Ochako!" Himiko complained, trying to wiggle out of the hug that Izuku had around her.
"Do you even know if Uraraka is awake yet?" Izuku questioned, causing Himiko to pause in her squirming.
"Well, no…" Himiko admitted quietly, allowing herself to go limp in Izuku's hold, a blush of embarrassment rushing up her face. "I was just so excited to see her."
Momo yawned, before smiling towards her sister tangled together with Izuku. "We know how excited you are to see Uraraka, Himi." She reached over and scratched Himiko behind one of her buns, causing the other girl to purr loudly. "We're pretty excited to see her too. Why don't you send her a message asking what time works best for her? The trains don't start running for at least another hour."
"I can do that!" Himiko responded, before she stretched a bit and curled up on Izuku's chest. "But maybe in a few moments… Izuku is just so warm…"
"Hey!" Momo said in mock offense. "You know Izu is my boyfriend right?" She questioned while poking Himiko.
Himiko hissed, turning her head and nipping her fangs towards Momo's fingers, just missing by a few millimeters. "But currently, he's my warm bed." Himiko responded, sticking out her tongue towards Momo.
"Himiko." Izuku said firmly, causing Himiko to look towards him. He tapped her lightly on the head, causing her to glare at him in return. "Don't you be hissing or nipping at Momo, or else."
"Or else what?" Himiko glare intensified, while Izuku just smirked towards her as he tightened his hands around her. Himiko realized what Izuku meant, causing her eyes to go wide. "Okay! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"That's better." Izuku responded, his smirk falling into a more genuine smile before wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "Five more minutes, okay? Then we can start getting ready to go see Uraraka."
"Okay…" Himiko said quietly, letting out a yawn, before curling up a bit more on Izuku's chest. She was seemingly asleep within a moment, causing Izuku and Momo to giggle.
"She's so cute." Momo said quietly, moving her hand up to run through Himiko's messy hair, causing her to purr within her sleep and lean into Momo's hand. "I don't know how those monsters tried to prevent this."
"It doesn't matter now or ever again." Izuku responded, tightening the hug a bit on Himiko to convey his feelings, as he smiled towards the girl on his chest. "She's where she needs to be now, and I won't let anybody hurt her like that again."
"We won't let anybody hurt her like that again." Momo responded with her own smile, moving her hand into Izuku's hair and playing with it. "She's legally my sister, which means I have the responsibility to take care of her."
"Isn't Himi older than us?" Izuku questioned, looking towards Momo with a small smile.
"Yes." Momo responded, letting out a sigh. "But you know as well as I do that Himi was never allowed to be herself, and I want to make sure she has that opportunity now. She deserves the world and so much more." Izuku nodded in agreement, looking back up to Himiko on his chest, feeling her curl into herself more and trying to get more comfortable. "Plus, I think she loves her savior more." Momo replied quietly with a smile.
"I don't believe that." Izuku responded, looking back towards Momo. "While I might have saved her from some men that wanted to hurt her and return her to those monsters, you and your parents were the one that saved her from going into the foster system or worse, ending back up on the streets."
"You both are the best thing to ever happen to me." Himiko responded quietly before letting out a breath of air, rolling over and landing between them as they looked towards her. "I love you both for everything you've done, and what you both continue to do."
"And we love you, Himi." Momo responded, putting her hand back on Himiko's head and giving it a small scratch, causing Himiko to purr in content. "Did we wake you up?"
"No…" Himiko admitted quietly as she closed her eyes. "I wasn't really sleeping." Himiko snaked her arms underneath Izuku and Momo, pulling them all into a close hug. "I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you two provided me. I don't think I ever would have been able to be who I wanted to be if Zu didn't save me, and if Mo didn't convince our parents to adopt me." Himiko let out a sigh, allowing a few tears to escape. "I love you both so much." Himiko tightened the hug on Izuku and Momo, who responded in earnest and hugged back just as tight.
"We love you too, Himi." Izuku would say it as many times as he had to.
They embraced in silence for a long moment, allowing their emotions and feelings to run the course, until Himiko slowly released the hug and pushed herself into a seating position. "Can we get some breakfast? I want to message Ochako to see if she's awake yet." Himiko questioned, looking between Izuku and Momo.
Izuku and Momo both pushed themselves up into seating positions beside Himiko. "Of course we can, Himi." Izuku responded. As Momo swung her feet off the bed to stand up, Izuku was about to follow before he felt some cold fingers grab his wrist. Stopping his movements, he looked back up to Himiko. "Himi?"
"Can I have some blood before we go?" Himiko questioned, looking down at Izuku's wrist and biting her lip, a hint of a fang peeking through. "I don't think I want Ochako to know about it yet."
"Of course, Himi." Izuku responded automatically. "Whenever you're ready." Himiko nodded, before bringing up Izuku's wrist, giving it a lick, and sinking her teeth into the soft flesh beside his original scars. Izuku didn't even feel the pinch anymore, having given Himiko blood so many times in the past. The doctors were correct in saying that Izuku's scars on his wrist would fade, but not disappear completely, but that wasn't the case for the others. Himiko's saliva had anesthetic properties and would numb the area, while also increasing the healing process after she was done, which meant that Izuku or Momo never got any more scars.
After getting dressed for the day, breakfast went by quickly for the three teenagers. They had seen their parents on the way out, informing them they'd be back around dinner time, and set out towards the train station. Momo had pre-purchased tickets on the way to the train station, opting for first class tickets so they could request food or drinks on their trip, while also giving them access to their own private bathroom. Izuku and Momo had fallen asleep together not long after the train had started moving, while Himiko continued to watch the landscape go by, too excited to finally see and talk to her new friend in person.
When they had finally arrived in the small township of Meiwa in Mie prefecture, Himiko was bouncing up and down in her seat, shaking Izuku and Momo awake from their nap. Izuku and Momo yawned, before giggling at Himiko's antics. When the train had finally come to a complete stop, Himiko practically bounced out of the train car into the train station, looking all around for their new friend.
"Heeey!" A familiar voice called out, causing the trio to look in the direction it came from. "Sorry I'm late! I didn't realize the train was scheduled to arrive a bit early this morning!" Ochako yelled out as she approached the trio.
"Ochako!" Himiko exclaimed, looking ready to pounce into the other girl's arms.
"Himiko." Izuku said firmly, causing Himiko to stop in her advance. "Remember what you promised."
"Right." Himiko said quietly, straightening up and waiting for Ochako to reach them. "It's good to see you, Ochako!" Himiko said excitedly as Ochako stopped in front of them. "Do you mind if I give you a hug?" Himiko questioned with her hands behind her back, her natural blush deepening.
Ochako blinked, looking between the trio, before she looked back towards Himiko. "I guess I could spare one, as thanks for saving me from the Zero Pointer." Ochako opened up her arms, and Himiko reacted instantly, pouncing into the hug and squeezing Ochako tightly enough to lift her off the ground.
"Whoa!" Ochako exclaimed in surprise.
"Sorry!" Himiko said quickly, releasing the hug and moving back from Ochako, putting her hands behind her again. "I didn't mean to pick you up!"
"Sorry about Himi." Momo apologized with a smile, causing Ochako and Himiko to look towards her. "She loves to steal hugs any chance she gets, and sometimes gets too excited and forgets her own strength."
"We had to make sure she didn't pounce on you as soon as she saw you." Izuku commented right after, smirking towards Himiko.
"ZuMo!" Himiko exclaimed in embarrassment, bringing her hands up to cover her face, causing Izuku and Momo to giggle at her.
Ochako looked between the trio before giggling, causing Himiko to lower her hands and giggle with the rest of them. "I just wasn't expecting you to lift me up so easily, Himiko!" Ochako explained excitedly. "I didn't realize how strong you are. You must have trained really hard before UA's entrance exam!"
"Yeah…" Himiko said, reaching up and scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "It's thanks to ZuMo that I trained so hard." Himiko looked over towards Izuku and Momo with a glare, causing them to break out in giggles again. "Muscles are so not cute!"
"Really?" Ochako questioned, causing Himiko to look back towards her. "I always thought having muscles was so cool!"
"You really think so?" Himiko questioned quietly, looking towards Ochako with hope in her eyes and a dusting of a blush still on her cheeks.
"I mean, yeah!" Ochako responded excitedly. "My parents work in construction, and if they didn't encourage me to pursue my dreams of becoming a hero, that's where I would have been working. My Mama is super strong! Much stronger than my Papa!" Ochako explained excitedly, missing the look of wonder in Himiko's eyes as she watched Ochako.
"Based on what we saw in the monitor room, your quirk would be perfect for construction." Izuku said as he brought up a finger to his chin in thought. "It appears to remove gravity from whatever you touch, including yourself and other people."
"Yep!" Ochako exclaimed. "I call it Zero Gravity! It allows me to nullify the effects of gravity from any solid objects, including myself and other people!" Ochako looked away a bit. "I kept telling my parents that my quirk would be perfect for the family business, and I could easily get my quirk usage license, but they wouldn't let me." Ochako let out a huff of annoyance. "They wanted me to pursue my dreams of becoming a rescue hero."
"Being a rescue hero is a very high honor." Momo commented, causing Ochako to look towards her. "They're specifically tasked with saving people from natural and man-made disasters." Momo hummed in thought for a moment. "Your quirk would be perfect for helping trapped civilians, getting them to safety, or even holding up rubble and/or buildings depending on your weight limit."
"I think I would need a lot more training before I can do all that." Ochako admitted, slumping her shoulders a bit. "I haven't been able to train my quirk as much as I would have liked, which means my limit is about three tons before I become nauseous."
"Three tons is still more than enough to become a rescue hero. That's plenty to lift a car!" Izuku confirmed. "But I believe with some specific training, you could easily double or even triple your weight limit."
"You think so?" Ochako asked a bit excitedly, looking at Izuku.
"Yes, I believe so." Izuku confirmed. "But I could be underselling your quirk a bit. It's possible that you could increase your weight limit indefinitely with enough training."
"Nerds." Himiko said off to the side, causing everyone to look towards her. "What? They are!"
Ochako giggled. "How about we get started exploring Meiwa? There's a craft market that is happening, and I think the local family-owned restaurant is holding a special today on their mochi. There's also a few other places that I wouldn't mind showing you three!"
"Lead the way, Uraraka." Momo commented while smiling, grabbing Izuku's hand with her own, ready to follow Ochako. "You'll be our tour guide today."
"Okay!" Ochako responded excitedly, reaching for Himiko's hand and dragging her along, causing Himiko's blush to deepen. "Follow me! I can't wait to show you my hometown!"
"Thanks for coming today." Ochako said contently as they walked back towards the train station. Ochako and Himiko were walking close enough to brush their hands and shoulders together every few steps, while Izuku and Momo walked behind them hand in hand. "I really enjoyed spending time with you guys."
"I had so much fun today!" Himiko exclaimed. She twirled around, walking backwards beside Ochako so that she could look towards Izuku and Momo walking behind them. "ZuMo! Can we come back next weekend?! Please?!"
"You haven't even left yet, Himiko!" Ochako exclaimed, giggling at her friend's antics.
"But I'm already excited to see you again!" Himiko responded with a full fanged smile, missing the blush that rushed up Ochako's face. "Today was the most fun I've ever had!" Izuku and Momo smiled as they watched Himiko reveal herself fully, opening up and blooming to the fullest extent they'd yet seen.. Her genuine smile shone like polished metal in the sun amid the crowds of Meiwa, the strangers passing by without notice of the revelation unfolding in their midst.
"Of course we can, Himi." Momo responded, as they continued to walk behind the duo in front of them. Izuku and Momo hadn't missed the blush that Ochako had, nor had they missed her take a deep breath to try and force down the said blush. "Izu and I enjoyed spending time with Uraraka as well, and I think Izu and I would like to explore Mie a bit more. It's a very charming place."
"Most definitely." Izuku responded with a nod. "We didn't have much time to explore the craft market thoroughly, and I saw a few things that I wouldn't mind getting a closer look at."
"You just want that wood burned and engraved notebook." Momo teased, smiling at Izuku.
"You know me too well." Izuku responded with his own smile, leaning over and giving Momo a quick kiss. "I was hoping to get a new notebook for when we started at UA. I already know there are going to be so many interesting quirks that I can't wait to analyze!"
"Oh!" Himiko exclaimed, turning back around and looking towards Ochako. "Speaking of UA, did you get your letter yet, Ochako?"
"I did!" Ochako responded excitedly. "It's why I was late coming to greet you guys this morning! My parents got the mail this morning, and once they saw the letter, insisted that we open the letter together. Once they saw that I was accepted into UA, they grasped me in a hug and wouldn't let me go!" Ochako giggled a bit at what happened this morning. "I'm in Class 1-A with Oboro Shirakumo!"
"Oh! Us too, us too!" Himiko responded excitedly by jumping up and down on the balls of her feet.
"Really?!" Ochako questioned in return, and when Himiko nodded her head excitedly, Ochako threw her arms around Himiko and caused her to stiffen up a moment before she returned the hug. "We'll be able to hang out more once we get into the dorms! I can't wait!"
"I think Himi might have met her match when it comes to stolen hugs." Momo whispered to Izuku, causing him to nod with a smile. "I don't think we have much to worry about with those two."
"You know that's not true." Izuku responded. "We'll always worry about Himi, especially after everything she's been through. I do think Uraraka's caught some feelings, based on what we saw today."
"You saw it too?" Momo questioned, getting a nod in response. "I hope so. Himi deserves a little bit of happiness that we can't give her."
"ZuMo! ZuMo!" Himiko said excitedly, pulling out of the hug with Ochako and bouncing over towards them. "We're gonna be in the same class as Ochako!"
"That's awesome, Himi!" Izuku responded, matching her energy and smiling towards Ochako, who was watching the scene unfold in front of her. "We'll have to show Uraraka around Musutafu once we get settled into our dorms.
"Oh!" Himiko suddenly exclaimed, turning around and pouncing back towards Ochako. "They have this massive plushie store in Kiyashi Mall that I can't wait to show you! ZuMo took me there one time, and we almost left with half the store! They have so manycute plushies!" Ochako was giggling at Himiko as she continued to explain the plushies she had bought, before she dived into the other cute things or places that Himiko had seen back home. Izuku and Momo were watching how Ochako listened fondly, her eyes showcasing what her real feelings were.
"I hate to break up the retelling of the cutest places that Himi has ever found back home." Izuku smirked as Himiko let out a huff of annoyance, knowing that Izuku was teasing her. "But we need to hurry if we're going to make the last train home."
Himiko pulled out her phone and looked at the time, causing her eyes to go wide. "I didn't realize how late it had gotten." She said sadly, pocketing her phone and looking towards Ochako. "Are you free next weekend? I would love to come see you again before we start UA."
Ochako's natural blush marks got slightly more pink, before she released a cough to force the blush back down. "I would have to double check with my parents to make sure they don't have anything planned. Papa mentioned about celebrating me getting into the hero course."
Momo hummed in thought for a second. "Uraraka?" Momo questioned, causing the girl to look over towards her. "You said your parents work in construction, correct?"
"I did." Ochako confirmed. "Why?"
"I was just curious what the name of their company was." Momo responded, looking towards Ochako.
"Oh! It's Uraraka Construction. It's a smaller construction company based right here in Meiwa. Papa only has a few employees hired. It was just him and Mom at first, and they've had a few jobs outside the city, but we're mostly working in the city these days. They actually met while demolishing a building together!" Ochako responded as Momo hummed to herself in thought.
"What are you thinking, Mo?" Izuku questioned, looking at his girlfriend curiously. "I know that look."
"Just a small idea I had, but I would need to speak with Father about it." Momo responded to Izuku, watching as his eyes went wide in recognition, before he smiled. Ochako looked over towards Himiko in question, getting a shrug in response.
As Ochako was about to question what idea Momo had, they heard the announcement come from the train station not too far ahead of them. Stopping and listening, they all realized that it was announcing the last train heading back towards Aichi Prefecture.
"That's us!" Izuku exclaimed, pulling Momo along with him as they passed Himiko and Ochako. "It was nice seeing you today, Uraraka, but we better hurry so we don't miss our train! Let's go, Himi!"
Himiko nodded, turning back around towards Ochako and pulling her in for a tight hug. "Text me later?"
"Of course, Himiko." Ochako responded with her own tight hug. Both of their natural blush marks deepened slightly before they pulled out of the hug. "Thank you for coming today."
"I loved seeing you, and actually having a chance to talk with you this time." Himiko admitted, giggling slightly. "I can't wait to see you again!"
"Himi!" Izuku called out as he opened the door for Momo, looking back towards Himiko and Ochako.
"Coming, Zu!" Himiko responded, turning and sprinting towards the door that Izuku was holding open, missing the blush that rushed up Ochako's cheeks after her last comment.
"I loved seeing you again too…" Ochako responded quietly, waving towards the trio as they disappeared into the train station.
The train ride back was uneventful. Having spent most of the day in the sun, Izuku and Momo had decided to take a nap on the way back, while Himiko cuddled up beside Izuku, stealing his body heat and napping with them. Sayuri was waiting for them at the train station when they arrived, driving them back towards their home.
As the trio arrived back at the estate, they decided to see if their parents were still around and began by heading towards the dining hall, a likely spot to begin any such investigation. Sitting at the table and conversing between themselves were Yuukichi, Miyuki, and Inko.
When Himiko had seen Miyuki, she instantly got a burst of energy, running towards her mother and launching into a full retelling of how their day was. Miyuki was more than willing to listen and encourage Himiko to tell her everything that had happened, and Himiko didn't feel like she had to hold back, not like she used to, prim and proper, the perfect little doll. It got to the point where Yuukichi almost got hit multiple times by Himiko's flailing arms, after which he decided to move down one seat and let Himiko sit down.
Izuku and Momo smiled at Himiko's antics, before steering clear of that conversation, instead taking a seat beside Inko on the opposite side of the table.
"Did you two enjoy your trip?" Inko questioned, looking between Izuku, Momo, and Himiko. "It sounds like Himiko enjoyed herself."
"We did." Izuku responded, watching the interaction across from them with a small smile. "Mo and I are planning on going back sometime before UA starts up."
"Izu just wants to get himself a new notebook." Momo teased her boyfriend, leaning in and giving his cheek a kiss, causing him to let out a huff. Inko giggled at their interactions, more than used to how much affection they showed each other.
"It was a nice notebook!" Izuku exclaimed, gesturing a bit with his hands in front of him, before looking towards Inko. "Meiwa has a weekly craft market they host, allowing anybody to sell items they created. One of the sellers had these custom wood burned and engraved notebooks that looked really nice!" Izuku explained, before slumping his shoulders a bit. "When I went to inquire about having one made, Mo told me that Himi and Uraraka were already gone, I guess they wanted to see the rest of the craft market."
"You should have seen how upset Izu was." Momo teased, causing Izuku to slump his shoulders a bit more.
"Oh, I think I could imagine." Inko responded, smiling at her son's dejected look. "I remember the time we went to buy a new All Might figure, and we missed the last one by that much." Inko held her fingers closely together, indicating that if they were seconds earlier, they would have been able to buy it. "I think Izu was upset for a week."
"Moooom!" Izuku whined while he smiled, causing Inko and Momo to giggle at his reaction.
"How was Himiko around Uraraka?" Inko questioned, looking back towards the active conversation across from them. "Miyuki and I were worried she wouldn't open up to anyone outside of us."
"I think it went well." Izuku responded. "Himi is excited to go back and see Uraraka again, and she was asking if we could go back before we even left."
Inko giggled, knowing that Himiko would ask something like that. "It's good to hear she's feeling more comfortable around others after everything she went through. It's leaps and bounds better than when she first came home."
"It is." Momo agreed. "But we also believe it's because of her feelings towards Uraraka." Momo explained, unable to keep her smile out of her voice, causing Inko to look towards her. "After meeting her before the entrance exam, and saving her from the Zero Pointer, it was clear that Himi had developed a crush."
"And Uraraka?" Inko questioned worriedly.
"We believe that Uraraka might feel the same way, based on how they acted with each other today." Izuku responded, before slumping his shoulders a bit. "We just hope it's not because Himi saved her from the Zero Pointer."
"You saw how Uraraka acted today, Izu." Momo stated, reaching out and grabbing Izuku's hand, giving it a squeeze. "By the time we were leaving, Uraraka was the one pulling Himi in for hugs."
Izuku smiled, giving Momo's hand a squeeze back. "Doesn't mean I can't be worried." Izuku responded. "Look at how many times the victim falls for the hero in the stories we read, and sometimes the outcome isn't as positive."
Momo released a sigh. "I believe you have a point, but do you think Uraraka would really do something like that?"
"I don't know." Izuku admitted honestly, shrugging his shoulders a bit. "We don't know Uraraka well enough to make a prediction on what could happen."
The trio fell silent, listening to the conversation that was still happening. They were surprised that Himiko didn't faint from talking so much, seemingly not even stopping for a breath. They'd all giggled when Himiko had accidentally hit Yuukichi on the head, causing him to pull her into a hug and squeeze her a second, hearing Himiko call out for help from Miyuki.
"Does Uraraka know about…?" Inko left the question hanging in the air, knowing that Izuku and Momo would pick up on its meaning.
"I don't believe so." Izuku responded, while Momo shook her head beside him. "Himi requested blood from me this morning, taking enough to last her the day. She did tell us that she wasn't ready to tell Uraraka, but we don't really know all they talked about. We tried to give them a bit of privacy as we hung out."
"It really felt like we were interrupting their first date." Momo admitted. "There were multiple times we thought Himiko or Uraraka was ready to just grab and kiss the other."
"I remember when you two were like that." Inko giggled, looking at Izuku and Momo. "Miyuki almost forced you two to confess your feelings towards each other."
"Mother would have done that?" Momo questioned, looking between Inko and Miyuki.
"Most definitely." Inko giggled again. "Yuukichi and I barely stopped her from marching into your room a few times."
"What are you three chatting about?" Yuukichi questioned as he came and sat down beside Momo.
"Just talking about how our day went, and how close Himi and Uraraka were." Izuku responded, looking back towards Miyuki and Himiko.
"Father?" Momo questioned, causing the trio to look towards her as she looked at Yuukichi. "Do you have any projects that would require a construction company?"
Yuukichi hummed to himself in thought for a second, before looking around to Inko. "Inko?"
"We have two projects that are in the final stages that might require construction." Inko confirmed, looking between Izuku and Momo curiously. "Why do you ask?"
"Uraraka's parents own Uraraka Construction, and I believe they're struggling to find work." Momo admitted. "Not only did Uraraka have an outdated phone, requesting that Himi call her after a certain time, she also mentioned that she had spent all her savings to take the UA entrance exam. She also tried to order nothing when we stopped for lunch today, and Himi had to practically beg her to order something."
"I see." Yuukichi said, looking towards the conversation that was still happening on the other side of the table. "And you want us to hire Uraraka Construction to help them out? Did you tell Uraraka anything?"
"I didn't mention anything about giving her parents work." Momo responded. "All I asked was what her parents' company name was."
"Inko." Yuukichi said, causing the woman to look around the kids towards him. "Can you see about finding more information about Uraraka Construction? If what Momo said is correct, I wouldn't mind helping their friends' parents out, but we need to make sure they have the proper certifications."
"I'll start on it right away." Inko responded, taking out her phone and typing on it for a few moments. "I've sent a message to the team, and I'll see what I can come up with myself."
"Thank you, Inko." Yuukichi responded, before looking back towards Momo. "Is there anything else you wanted to ask?"
"Nothing I can think of currently, Father." Momo smiled towards her father. "Thank you for considering them. I know they might be a bit further out compared to the companies you normally work with, but I don't think you'll be disappointed."
"You're welcome, Honey." Yuukichi responded, reaching around Momo and giving her a hug. "You know you just need to ask."
"I do. Thank you, Father." Momo responded, pulling out of the hug.
After Momo had asked Yuukichi about future projects for Yaoyorozu Company, Yuukichi, Inko, and their team researched Uraraka Construction the following week. They quickly found that Uraraka Construction was one of the best rated construction companies in all of Mie. Their certifications were up to date, and previous inspectors had nothing but positive statements to say about the company. The most notable statement about Uraraka Construction was how they went above and beyond what was required, following or exceeding code during their projects. While previous customers were happy with the quality of their work, they mentioned that Uraraka Construction time frames were too large for bigger projects, resulting in the company only being used for smaller projects.
The following week had Yuukichi and Inko on a train to Meiwa to meet with the owners of Uraraka Construction. Both had wanted to inspect the quality of work that Uraraka Construction produced, and to meet Kizuna and Riksuki in person. Once the Urarakas learned about who Yuukichi was, and the company they worked for, they were more than happy to showcase their impressive portfolio, which was full of happy customers and glowing reviews. They'd already checked, of course, and found them all to be legitimate.
Yuukichi went as far as offering Uraraka Construction a smaller scale project to see their work first hand, which Kizuna and Riksuki happily accepted. After the successful meeting with Uraraka Construction, Yuukichi had requested Inko to add Uraraka Construction to their preferred construction companies, making sure to place them on the top of the list for companies to use next.
Inko had one final question as they walked out the door. "Excuse me, but my son told me that you two met while having a competition about who could knock down a wall faster. I just have to know… who won?"
The couple laughed, and Mrs. Uraraka grinned proudly and flexed her arm like a bodybuilder. "This scrawny young fellow showed up to a site I'd been demo-ing for three days and thought he could handle a sledge like any old pro. I handed him my little 5kg hammer and told him to get to work, and he had a good enough swing. Then I went to my truck and got my 9kg hammer out, and challenged him to a race."
She looked at her husband, who held his hands up in defeat, but seemed quite proud of his wife. "She beat me by a nose. I've always said I was the brains and she was the brawn!"
Inko and Yuukichi left with smiles on their faces, for more than one reason.