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Hitoshi eyed the small figure hiding behind his mentor’s legs. When the man said that he wanted to introduce someone to him, he never would have thought it would be a child around 6. Hitoshi leaned closer, which made the kid shrunk back even more. Form the long hair of which he caught a quick glimpse of and the round, scared eyes, he guessed it was a girl.
Hitoshi knelt down, so as to not be such an intimidating figure to the younger girl. He stayed still and sent a small smile into her direction.
That was good choice, because the girl poked her head out from behind Aizawa’s leg and blinked at him. Hitoshi’s smile widened and he dug his hand in one of his uniform’s pockets. After a few seconds of searching, he fished out a candy.
He reached it out towards the girl, who made a tentative step forward, but still clung to Aizawa’s jeans. Her manner made Hitoshi smile even more – she was just like a kitten.
”Come on,” He said, outstretching his hand even more. ”It is really tasty.”
”Sou-san said that I shouldn’t accept anything from a stranger,” she answered shyly and stayed where she was.
”He is right about that,” Hitoshi answered, looking up at his teacher. ”However, he brought you here, because he wants us to be friends,” he continued, looking the little girl in the eyes. ”This means I am not a dangerous stranger.”
The child looked up at Shouta, who nodded and pushed her forward lightly with his hand. That seemed to be enough to persuade her that he was not a threat, because the white haired child walked up to Hitoshi.
When she reached him, she took the candy out of his hand and unwrapped it with caution. Before taking it in her mouth, she looked back at Aizawa once again and when the man nodded again she popped the sweet into her mouth.
”Thank you so much!” She said after swallowing the sweet with a small bow. ”It was really tasty.”
”I am happy to hear that,” Hitoshi said and had to restrain himself from petting her on the top of her head. The way she licked her lips after the sweet reminded him of a cat even more. To distract himself from these thoughts, he reached his hand towards her once again. ”Shinsou Hitoshi!” He introduced himself and the little girl took his hand into her smaller one.
”Aizawa Eri,” she answered quietly, averting her gaze. Shinsou felt his jaw drop and could hear a choked noise from behind Eri. Eri snapped her head up with widening eyes. ”D-did I say something wrong?” She asked, worry evident in her voice.
”No, no, you’re fine!” Hitoshi said quickly to ease her worries. ”I was just surprised that you introduced yourself as ’Aizawa’.”
”Well, Nemuri-san taught me that when you introduce yourself to someone, you have to tell them your family name too and although I don’t have a family, Sou-san in my caretaker, so-” Her voice became quiter with every word, till she completely trailed off.
Hitoshi saw how she played with the hem of her dress and bit into her lower lip, trying to stop it from trembling. He raised his hand up and put it on the top of her head. Eri looked up at him with wide eyes and he started to pet her hair – which he totally did only to give comfort!
”Nah, it’s okay,” he said good-naturedly with a small smile. ”I think sensei doesn’t mind it either.”
”Really?” Eri asked hopefully, turning her head back to Aizawa’s direction.
”Fine by me,” the older man muttered, pulling his scarf upper.
Despite that attempt, Hitoshi could see the tiniest tint of pink appearing on his face.