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It was a chilly February afternoon when the three of them were walking back to U.A. Eri had two of her three big brothers holding her hands, which helped a bit with her anxiety, but didn’t make it disappear one hundred percent.
”Are you okay, Eri-chan?” Izuku asked, looking down at her, worried.
”Yes, you were a bit distant today,” Mirio seconded, doing the same as his beloved kouhai.
Eri took a deep breath. She knew that keeping the truth from them would only make them worry more.
”Shou-san said that I might go to school this April,” she said and Mirio frowned.
”Isn’t that a bit early?” He mouthed the question to Deku, who nodded in agreement. ”How are you feeling about this, Eri-chan?” He asked, turning his attention back the little girl.
”I… I don’t really know,” Eri confessed. ”You always tell me stories about your adventures in school and how fun it is, but what if no one would want to be my friend? What if they would think my horn is disgusting?” She asked when an excited shout could be heard.
”Ah, Midoriya-kun!” She heard a woman’s voice and when she looked up, she saw a woman in front of Class 1-A’dorms… with cat ears on her head.
”Mandalay!” Izuku shouted back just as excitedly before letting her hand go and jogged up to the stranger, leaving Eri and Mirio standing there on their own.
Eri hid behind the tall boy on instinct like every time something unexpected happened. She only poked her head out, just to see what was happening.
”And Kouta-kun!” Izuku’s voice was raised with a few octaves as a little body moved out from behind the woman. ”What are you doing here?”
”We were in the neighborhood and Kouta had been bugging me about how much he wants to meet his hero, so-”
”I didn’t!” The boy said while Izuku’s ears reddened. Suddenly, the boy’s eyes met with hers and Eri hid back behind Mirio with a little noise escaping her lips. ”Horn,” he said and Eri wanted to whine.
”Kouta!” Mandalay hissed as she followed his gaze and saw the little girl.
”Nah, it’s not a big deal!” Eri heard the little boy speak up and when she poked her head out once again, he was standing right in front of Mirio. ”I have two of them, see?” He asked, pointing at his hat. And yes – there were two, shining horns. ”Mines are even longer than yours.”
”Th-they are pretty,” Eri said, stepping out from behind Mirio slowly. Suddenly, she saw an outstretched hand right in front of her. She looked up at the boy, who looked back at her clearly waiting for something.
”Izumi Kouta!” He said, stepping a bit closer.
Eri felt lost. She had no idea what to do, so she looked up at Mirio for help. Mirio stretched his hand a bit forward and made a shaking move. Eri’s eyes widened when she realized the situation. Shou-san had already talked about how strangers introduce themselves to each other.
”My name is Eri!” She said quickly, grabbing Kouta’s hand with both of hers. ”It’s nice to meet you, Izumi-san!”
”Call me Kouta. ’Izumi-san’ makes me feel old,” Kouta said scrunching his nose up.
”All right… Kouchan!” Eri said the name involuntarily and Kouta felt his cheeks heating up. When Eri wanted to apologize, he only shook his head.
”It’s okay. This name is not that bad,” he mumbled, looking aside in embarrassment. After a few seconds, he turned his head back towards her. ”I haven’t met you the last time I was here,” he said and Eri thought back what Shou-san taught her to say in situations like that.
”Aizawa-sensei adopted me not so long ago,” she said the words she knew by heart. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the woman sending a look to Izuku. She wasn’t convinced.
”You can’t have lots of friend in our age then,” Kouta stated. He knew how lonely it could be. Eri shook her head and bit into her lower lips. Kouta cocked his head to the side in question.
”I’m not so good at making friends,” she said, looking to the ground. What if the other kids thought I was strange and would avoid me…”
”I don’t think you are strange,” Kouta said. He smiled at her, which she timidly returned. ”And if someone tries to bully you, just tell me. I will put them back in their place.”
”Kouta!” Mandalay gasped, but Eri only giggled.
”Thank you, Kouchan!” Eri said, beaming up at him. ”You are really like a prince!”