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Here, see? Her name is Eri. She just turned seven. You’d love her.
She was dealt a bad hand. The worst. She was abused by some of the worst scum I’ve ever had to deal with. Taken apart and put back together, again and again. She didn’t even know how to smile.
They entrusted her into my care because of my Quirk. But now, she’s my everything.
I’m adopting her. Yeah. Me. Never thought I’d get along with kids well enough, but…
She called me “Dad” a while back. Damn near broke down crying. I had to make it official.
***
Joke asked me out again. But she got Eri involved this time. Got the kid to hit me with her puppy-dog eyes.
I know, right? How was I supposed to say no after that? So I went on the damn date.
I didn’t hate it. Turns out she can actually turn if off when she wants to. She just doesn’t want to. No matter how much I beg.
Maybe I’m getting soft. There’s no rational reason for me to be dating. I’m a Hero, a teacher, and a parent. That’s three full time jobs.
Yes, I’m going on another date.
***
They beat him. Problem Child and his friends, they beat that hand-faced madman and his boss. He did what even All Might couldn’t do. Cost us all a lot. Maybe too much. But it’s over, finished.
Of course I’m proud of them. I even told them. It just slipped out.
I had just hoped…
I don’t know what I was hoping.
Just that maybe, in a world without any of them in it, everything they did would…
Stupid. I know that. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.
I’m not going to stop coming though. I’m here to the end.
***
Hizashi and Nemuri are dating.
No, I didn’t believe it either. But it’s gone on too long to be the world’s worst practical joke. They’re ridiculously affectionate. Like a couple of teenagers. Honestly, it’s embarrassing to be in the same room as both of them.
They’ve even adopted dogs. Hizashi calls them their children. It’s embarrassing. Dogs are ridiculous. Cats are much superior creatures.
You know what the worst part is though? I’m still dating Emi. So she’s become friends with them. She makes me do couples’ activities with them.
At least here I can get a word in edgewise.
***
I’m getting married. To Emi.
Honestly, I’m as shocked as anyone.
Actually, scratch that. Hizashi is the most shocked. He lost a ton of money to Nemuri. Apparently, he bet her that it would never happen. She says she bet on love. I don’t know which of them I’m more embarrassed by.
But I just got to thinking about it and I realized I’d grown accustomed to that face. She’s over at my place all the time anyway. Eri loves her. It was the rational decision.
I love her. She makes me laugh. But don’t tell her I said that.
***
Eri’s starting U.A. She wants to be a Medical Hero, like Recovery Girl. I told her it would be a lot of hard work, but she told me she wasn’t afraid. I’ve never been prouder of her. She’s going to be an amazing Hero someday. Just you wait and see.
I can’t believe she’s fifteen. It seems like just yesterday she was this tiny little thing, scared of her Quirk, scared of everything. Now she wants to use that Quirk to help people. Like Deku does. Like Lemillion.
Yes, like me too, I suppose.
I guess I did something right.
***
She’s got a boyfriend. Kota Izumi. You remember Sosaki, from Class B? Her nephew. He’s a good kid. Takes too much after Deku, who he idolizes. Even wears the same red shoes.
Still, tried to put the fear of me into him when Eri told me they were dating. I’m sure she can handle herself, but certain traditions have to be observed.
He panicked and punched me in the damn balls. Emi damn near fell out of her chair laughing about it. And then Eri yelled at me for trying to scare him.
Not exactly my best night, was it?
***
Eri and Kota got married. No matter what Hizashi tells you, I was not crying. You know I have problems with my eyes. Always have. They were just acting up more than usual that day.
They’re both working as Sidekicks for Deku, of course. And Eri’s going to med school on top of that. Accelerated program for Medical Heroes. Her Quirk helps, but she’s working and studying hard.
I wonder if she could have helped you. But she used up so much on All Might, Lemillion, and Ragdoll. Too many years on you.
So I guess I’ll just keep talking.
***
I’m going to kill Nemuri.
My class this year? Is entirely the children of the class from hell. And the one that isn’t still has a personal element to him. She admitted she did it because she thought it’d be funny.
There’s Bakugo and Kirishima’s daughter, who’s probably going to kill someone by the end of the month. There’s two Iidas. And a Mineta. And even my godson, who I love, but he is exhausting. And I can’t get All Might to stop following his grandson around.
Maybe Hizashi had the right idea, retiring.
Going to be a long year.
***
Her name is Himari. She’s three. Eri and Kota adopted her. They almost were able to keep the process a secret. She’s a shy thing, still getting used to everyone. Kind of like Eri used to be.
They both said they wanted to do like Sosaki and I did, and give a home to someone who needed it. She’s still finding ways to make me proud.
Nemuri’s already started calling me “Grandpa.” She really doesn’t like it when I point out we’re the same age.
See you next week, Oboro. Maybe you’ll be able to say something back next time.