An- My artwork of sexy kitty costume Koyuki and Daisy. Another photo shot that you can thank Rebecca for~~
====
"She wouldn't tell us who this "Mama" she mentioned. Even if we tried for a name, she would puff her chest and cheeks. Quite surprising to such light of character of her and pleasing to see her being open. Yet she won't say who..." One of the nurses informed Aizawa, while standing outside of their patient's doorway. The exhausted looking hero watched his troublesome student and the energetic Third year. The blonde carrying a basket full of different fruits for the hospitalized child. Like the hospital staff, he was suspicious of this person. Although it seemed the child didn't find this woman a threat, seeing how they'll keep their identity a secret. Shota had to test his own female students, waiting for their reactions. Gaining none what's so ever. It couldn't be the any of the heroines, finding it pointless for them to just enter in secret. Placing his suspicions on the mages and students. Yet he needed to find this person, they were still invading private property and meeting with this child. ""Mama..."" Muttering the maternal title to himself. Who could it possibly be?
Back inside with the three, Izuku nervously gave the child his shaky smile towards the girl, "Sorry we couldn't see you sooner."
Joining the greenette, Mirio held up his gift for the child to see, "We brought you a fruit basket! Want some?" Quickly noticing their ruby eyes seeming to search for someone then stopping. Seeing the slight disappointment, but he quickly shook that off. "What's your favorite? Wait... Lemme guess. Peaches, right? You look like a peach lover to me." Grinning once handing them the gift basket, brightening in assuming their favorite fruit.
Yet the child meekly replied another answer, "Apples."
"I knew it!" Jokingly replying in hopes for the child to giggle albeit; however, she did not. Gazing up to the blonde with slight confusion at their excitement in getting the answer wrong. Waving off his fail and shuffled for the apples in the basket and offered to cut it into a playful shape. Remembering his parents cutting the sweet fruit into a bunny by peeling the lower skin off and forming the remaining red skin into ears. Even though children would be excited to see such adorable shapes, Eri seemed to be strangely reserved. Thanking him politely for their kindness.
Nonetheless, they were still pleased in seeing her enjoying the sweet apples happily and their gentle manner. Grabbing their respective seats and pulled them close towards the child's bedside.
Before Eri could reach for another piece, she paused in her place. Pulling her arm back and shuffling in her spot on the bed. Both teen noticing the girl's nervous act and before they could ask what was the matter, she finally spoke up, "The whole time, even when I had a fever, I was thinking about how you guys saved me, but..." Turning to Izuku with flushed cheeks, openly embarrassed for what she's about to say, "I don't know your name." The freckled greenette flinched, unable to believe he didn't introduce himself to the girl as to not leave any discomfort for her in meeting a strange hero. Even worse for his case when she knows the Third year beside Izuku, "I know Lemillion-san. So who are you...mister?"
The corner of his lips twitched, almost wanting to grin from her kind manner. He quickly introduced himself to the young girl, "Midoriya Izuku. Hero name Deku." Realizing it may be difficult for the child to fully remember his name. "Um...Deku is shorter and easier to remember... So just call me Deku."
Eri couldn't help her brows creasing in confusion at the mention of their second name, "Hero name?"
Understanding this may confuse between his birth name and Hero name. "It's like a code name."
Oh-ing his explanation with a curt nod, "Okay, Deku-san."
"Lemillion-san. And Deku-san." Grabbing both their attention, seeing the little girl's saddened aura. "Also the nice man with glasses. You all got really hurt cuz of me..." Her little hands gripping onto her white hospital gown. Her bottom lip quivered gently, unable to help the burden she's placed on them. "This is all my fault. I'm really sorry for causing you guys so much pain..." Turning to Togata sadly, her ruby orbs glazing with unshed tears of regret. "And...And it's cuz of me you lost your power Lemillion-san..."
"Eri-chan!" Surprising her at his sudden movement, snapping up from his seat; moreover, his broad grin. "Not a single person here thinks it's your fault. Wanna know what everyone really thinks? We're all happy that you're safe and sound!" Hearing this, Eri gawked up to the taller young man. Mirio still held his exuberant grin and continued for the little girl to hear. "It doesn't make sense, right? Apologizing to people who don't exist. So cheer up! We all fought to see a smile on your face." Referring to their thoughts of people blaming her for her own rescue. She had it all false. No one- none- didn't stand on the sidelines and not rush to her rescue. Many vigorously worked blood, sweat and tears to locate her location.
Eri frowned at the mention of smiling. Attempting to do so for the two, but her attempts were becoming forced. Both could see this, the way the child shakenly smiled and yet could see the way she still held a frown. Even pulling her cheeks to make it seem legitimate for both young men. Sadly, she quickly gave up, feeling that her efforts seemed faulty and dishonest. "Sorry...I'm not so good at smiling. Mama tried..." Both perked up at the mentioned of the mysterious person. Not expecting that the person noticed of the child's difficulty of freely smiling. Although it's concerning that Eri felt she couldn't express her such simple, yet pleasing, expression. Knowing she must be spiritually chained to Overhaul's past abuse. However, her next action threw them back, "Even though she said keep doing this." Puffing her cheeks and cupping over them with clenched eyes. Pressing her cheeks and causing her lips to pucker. Facing the two with her puffy and silly look.
"Pfft!" Mirio couldn't contain his snort at such expression. Becoming flustered at his own reaction from the child, even when she mentioned such seriousness of unable to freely express a pure expression of happiness and or gratitude; yet they never expected her to do that. "I'm sorry Eri-chan!" Profusely apologizing, even throwing a playful glare to Izuku- also tried to contain his own chuckle. Not even expecting this either. From the way Eri did that, it seemed the person wanted Eri to witness the pleasure of giving others happiness by throwing funny faces and making others laugh. From Mirio's abrupt laughter, Midoriya could see Eri's orbs light up at Togata's chuckling. For that, he'll have to thank the person. However, they couldn't excuse the fact they're meeting with a child with a powerful Quirk and escaped from the mafia's clutches. Mirio needed coax details of the person; especially their identity, "Who's "Mama?""
They watched the child puff her chest and cheeks, seemingly containing the greatest secret to herself. Even holding up her pinkie finger to express her sacred promise.
'She pinkie promised?' Izuku found this adorable of the child, but found it troublesome that she's willing to keep the person's identity to themselves. Although defeated that they'll never get a name to investigate and search for the person. 'Hang on...' Straightening in his seat, his face expressing an epiphany. 'According to the doctor, the horn that activates her Quirk has shrunk. The chances of her losing control is low.' Quickly excusing himself and quickly trekking towards his homeroom teacher, "Aizawa-sensee. Do you think Eri-chan could leave the hospital for a day?"
Raising a brow to Izuku's question, "It should be possible. They're working on finding her a home."
From this, Izuku's face brightened up exceptionally, "In that case...would Eri-chan be able to attend?"
"Oh?" Still not understanding to their vague question, pressing for them to explain their question. Thankfully, Midoriya did so and revealed it, "Can Eri-chan go to the school festival?"
Hearing this, Togata matched Midoriya's bright expression and agreed wholeheartedly. Unlike the two, Eri sat clear confusion to their excitement, "A festival?"
Turning towards the child, unable to contain his excitement, "Eri-chan! This's a great idea! We got this thing called a school festival!" Explaining and listing things the top if his about the upcoming culture festival, "It's a big event we have at school. It's super-fun time for students, by students. There're exhibits, performances, food-- Ah!" Brightening to one common thing that certain food stalls would hold, "Apples! I bet they'll have candied apples!"
Witnessing her round orbs widening, clearly peaking her interest. "Candied...Like chocolate?"
Pausing for a short moment at the mention of chocolate, but quickly let it slide. "Yeah! You think you like apples now?! Well, they're even sweeter once they get the candy treatment."
Eri seemed even more excited, almost bouncing in her spot on the bed. "Sweeter than caramel apple pie with vallina ice cream with powered cinnamon?!"
"Ah...?" Gawking the child at the beautifully sweet description of the dessert. "Now you're making me jealous and hungry, Eri-chan. Now I wants some too." Whining playfully to the child. It seemed the stranger gifted her sweets that'll beat Mirio's fruit basket gift.
"Let me ask the principle..." Aizawa pulled out his smartphone and whispered for Izuku to hear, "Try to coax more information about the intruder." Leaving the room to call the hybrid creature.
While slightly distracted from conversing with the hero, Izuku missed Mirio asking Eri how she received such gifts from their estrange visitor and to which she happily explained, "Mama said if I do good, she'll make apple desserts!"
Mirio smiled, seemingly pleased at this, it seemed it wasn't frequent unless the child behaves with staff and remained calm on check-ups. Not spoiling their appetite nor trying to bribe them for their trust. "Ah huh... What does Mama make for you?"
Eri was pleased to list what their maternal figure gift her, "Apple covered in chocolate, apple pudding, cinnamon apple tea, apple pie, and, and, and...!"
Mirio couldn't help but chuckle, Eri was like an excited child that was telling her friends what their mother would bake them. Practically bounding from her bubbling excitement. "Seems like Mama knows you like apples a lot!"
Nodding excitedly, brightening at the mention of her maternal figures rare gifts of desserts. Suddenly pouting, which receiving looks of surprise, "But Mama said not to eat so much dessert or I'll get cavaties..."
"Cavities."
"Cavities." Repeating the blonde and correcting herself on her mistake. Mirio couldn't help but chuckle at this, seeing the child willing to correct her mistake. She seemed a bit more child-like from mentioning their "Mama." Holding her hand up as if holding an invisible toothbrush, "She said I have to brush my teeth twice a day and taught me a song!"
Aizawa glanced to the nurse who suddenly giggled and explained of Eri standing on her little stall to brush her teeth; while the child incoherently singing a song and all while brushing her teeth, "Brush, brush, brush your teeth. Brush, brush, brush it clean. Brush the cavaties clean. Brush, brush, brush them away!" Then shouting out with raised arms, "Goodbye cavaties!" Although the staff were on edge of a stranger entering and seeing the little girl, they couldn't lie that the girl was acting more of her age albeit nor the woman watching over Eri found the child's sing-song of brushing her teeth deeply endearing.
"Well...what do you say, Eri-chan?" Wanting the child's honest opinion, unsure if the child would be comfortable and he wanted her honesty on what she thought of all of this.
Snapping out of her pouty bubble, Eri turned the greenette. Flushing slightly and glanced away, "I...was thinking about you guys and how you saved me..." Returning her red gaze to Izuku, seeming determined. "You two and everyone else... I wanna be your friend." Both Izuku and Miro felt warmed by the child's pure wish.
"We'll be such great friends you'll get sick of us!" Happy to befriend the little girl and even joking how they'll annoy her with their teasing presence. "And I'll keep bugging the principle until he has no choice but to let you come!" Revealing his position and current break, "I'm taking a leave from school right now so I can go too. It'll be like a date!"
"Date?" Tilting her head from the word. Izuku couldn't help but throw a strange look to Togata. Even more when the blonde attempted to explain the second definition, "When a couple goes out and has fun!"
"A couple? What kind of fun?" Still not understanding their topic.
"Senpai...please stop." Pleading with the blonde, imagining if Koyuki heard this from the blonde she'd likely pummel Mirio. Suddenly remembering Koyuki, Izuku couldn't help his lips curling into a gentle smile, "Eri..." Catching the pale haired child's attention, meeting gentle emeralds with curious ruby's. "There's this girl who you met before." Imaging how excited the Dragon Slayer would be to reunite with Eri. "She'd be really happy to see you again."
Eri's whole face seemed to brighten exceptionally with wide orbs, "Ma-- Miss?"
The two didn't miss the way she cut herself off, but Izuku quickly shook that off and nodded. Conversing with them for awhile, while Mirio thought this over-- Eri's speech. 'The way she held her pinkie up...' It made the blonde even more suspicious, 'And the way she cut herself off...' Throwing a quick glance to the greenette and how he spoke about the Dragneel, to which Eri listened diligently, Mirio glanced out the window.
.
.
.
Weeks Ago
"You heard all of that, right, Midoriya?" Were the first thing leaving Mirio's tongue, knowing that his Junior heard the conversation between the blonde and, now, pink-silverette. Turning to face the emotionally exhausted Izuku, seeing their skin slightly pale and their glazed eyes. "What Koyuki-chan said..." The younger teen couldn't lie and nodded, revealing he did, indeed, hear their conversation. "Damn..." Mirio couldn't help but shield his baby blue eyes, not wanting to show such weakness to his Junior. "I want to smile for Nighteye's sake, but hearing your close friend's future is just hard to swallow. Especially all that's she's went through and continued to smile..." He couldn't understand how such person dealt such things and continue to strive through life with such determination. Many would be in awe at such thing, but if they heard the full story behind such strength. "Gosh, I envy her strength. If Eri saw me like this, it'll hurt her." Quickly attempting to wipe away any rebellious tears from coming.
Izuku couldn't help but bite his bottom lip sadly, feeling growing disappointment towards himself. While he felt such growing darkness and grief, practically falling into it in defeat. Togata still fretted about his deceased teacher's wishes and the child's emotions. "Even after you lost your Quirk, you kept protecting Eri, all on your own. Then there's me..." Curling his fingers into fists, almost hearing whispering words that rebuked and demeaned him of his possession of One For All. "I was supposed to protect Eri, but then she had to help me save Koyuki...and yet..." Izuku couldn't stop his body quivering in frustration and defeat from the memory of the young Dragneel tapping his abdomen in midair her magic sent him back from joining the attack. "And yet, Koyuki still brushed me back and away from the fight...like..." Like a burden in the way. He could barely speak with the growing constriction in his throat, "If you'd been the successor, Senpai, then...Nighteye wouldn't have..." Nor could he forget seeing Overhaul impaling Sir Nighteye and he wasn't even quick enough to drop his Senior and Eri to safety and join his mentor in the fight. Maybe he wasn't worthy of having the Quirk. Maybe him having it was a mistake. Snapping his head up and met eyes with the Third year, "What if I told you I could pass on my Quirk to you, Senpai...? Would you--"
"Don't want it." Was Mirio's quickest response. Izuku was quickly taken aback, and to which Mirio couldn't help but smile slightly. "Even if that were somehow possible... If I went and took your Quirk then you'd be the one suffering." The young greenette couldn't help but gawk the blonde. Smiling at this even more in seeing the First years standing there stunned. "Honestly, I understand your feelings, but you did great out there, Deku!" Izuku couldn't help to glance away, unable to believe their words. Upon seeing this, Togata smiled sadly to this, "You may say to yourself 'I didn't do enough for Koyuki,' but what does Koyuki-chan think?" From this, Izuku turned to them, surprised. Seeing their emeralds glazing with growing tears. "If she heard you think those things, you'll make her sad in thinking she has been troubling you."
This deeply struck him, "Ah...I..."
"Besides, I bet everyone thought the same when they faced those guys... They weren't villains you would want to face a second time, honestly." turning away and looking out his window, unable to forget what they've faced. Especially how the other young heroes and even his own close friends dealt. "Tamaki and your friend haven't left Bora-chan's side after her surgery." Mirio visited the three, he saw how distraught and upset the meek ravennette looked. How they openly blamed himself to Fatgum and the hero kept trying to calm the poor boy. Even Kirishima had to join to calm his Senior. "I heard they had to remove her visible eye, because the person- the one who killed their own- did that..." Not seeing Izuku's reaction for the next thing he'll say, "Tamaki...Tamaki was heartbroken at the sight of her hidden scars. I bet if Koyuki-chan hears of this, she'll blame herself for what's happened..." Knowing that she's basically a professional and has dealt her share of rogue wizards and yet wasn't able to predict their magic and how they attempted to conquer and destroy. Shaking off the previous topic and turned to Izuku's direction once more, "Besides, yesterday, Eraser told me all about what's going on with Eri." Smiling sadly to himself now, "If Eri figures out how to control her Quirk at some point, I can try asking her to Rewind me back to the time when I had my own Quirk. If that work, I'll try whatever it takes to get back to normal, so don't worry about me. I've got Nighteye's prediction backing me up." Attempting to cheer the greenette albeit, "And with Koyuki-chan's support to strive for it."
Izuku could help to notice the constant mention of the Dragon Slayer. Constantly bringing up her metal state and reaction for all that's previously happened. "Senpai...forgive me for asking you this, but..." The moment Izuku muttered it, he saw how the blonde froze in his spot to their question. "Do you...like Koyuki?" Watching them stare at the greenette for a solid minute, frozen. Before looking away, "I don't know..." Instant memories coming to mind.
---
"Mirio-kun..." Hado scowled towards the blonde with her arms crossed over her chest. After they've sent Tamaki out to give their recovery and succeeding their provisional license. Surprisingly disappointed towards her friend, knowing why he sent Tamaki, "You shouldn't push your feelings onto Tamaki-kun..." Her scowl turning into a gentle frown, "He only views her as a good friend."
Mirio couldn't help but turn away, attempting to not meet eyes with Nejire. "Ahh..." Bashfully scratching his nape in embarrassment, knowing what the girl was saying was true. "You're right... I guess I just didn't want to accept them and distance myself..." Pushing his hands into his pockets, "I guess I tried to lie to myself and think he thought of her more than friends..."
Unable to help herself, rolling her eyes and pout, "Scaredy cat."
"Yeah..." Agreeing with her without hesitation. "I really am."
---
Turning to Izuku with such broad smile, "But we're just friends!"