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It's a friday night like any other until an advertisement for a nearby carnival pops up on Izuku's newsfeed. He immediately thinks of Eri; she's constantly on his mind since she was rescued just a few weeks ago, and he thinks she'd love to see a real carnival.
Sure, Yuuei's School Festival was practically a carnival in it's own right, minus the fancier roller coasters, but it’s nothing compared to the actual thing.
It's too late for Izuku to go hunting for Aizawa-sensei and his phone number is meant for emergency contact only, so Izuku sends an email to Aizawa asking if he can take Eri out to a carnival over the weekend.
Aizawa responds surprisingly quickly, with a simple ‘Yes, but bring someone responsible along. You get into too much trouble on your own. Pick her up from me between 8-830.’
Izuku cheers internally and closes his inbox. (Aizawa hates unnecessary return emails, which is why Izuku doesn't bother responding.)
Izuku knows that Kirishima stays up late watching movies with his close friends on Fridays (minus Kacchan, who goes to sleep in the early evening like an old man), so he texts him in spite of the late hour.
Sure enough, Kirishima's reply is prompt and eager, and with that, Izuku's plans are concrete. He texts back for Kirishima to meet him in the main lobby at 7:30. (It takes a bit to get to the teachers' dorms, and Izuku would rather get there earlier than late.)
That night Izuku dreams of carnival games and frenzied rides on the classic tilt-a-whirl and bumper cars. He wakes up refreshed and all the more eager for their fun day at the carnival.
He and Kirishima meet in the main hall, and it's empty save for Tenya, who's just come down for his morning glass of orange juice. He waves jovially at the pair, and thankfully doesn’t ask where they’re going.
Izuku would hate to explain that they’re leaving him and everyone else out (although in hindsight it’s pretty obvious). He’d have loved to invite them along had it simply been him and Kirishima, but Izuku has a feeling that the carnival itself will already be a bit overwhelming for Eri, between the crowd and the loud rides, and he doesn't want class 1-A to stress her out more.
That's part of the reason Izuku asked Kirishima rather than one of his other friends; the redhead was on the Shie Hassaikai raid and as such is already familiar to Eri.
Izuku and Kirishima scarf down a quick breakfast then head out for the teachers dorms, arriving squarely on Aizawa’s doorstep at 8 am on the dot.
Izuku knocks thrice and waits patiently with Kirishima. A moment later Aizawa tiredly calls back, "The door is open!" and they walk inside.
Eri crashes into Izuku’s legs, looking up at him with a mixture of nervousness and excitement tinging her expression. "Deku!! You're here!!! Mr. 'zawa said you would be but I wasn't sure because what if you got tired of me or I did something bad or-"
"Of course I was right," Aizawa interrupts, crouching to look Eri in the eyes. "Midoriya's a good kid, he won't abandon you. Now," he straightens up and stares hard at Izuku and Kirishima, "You two take care of her and yourselves. Try to be back here by five; if I’m not here then feel free to leave her with Mic or take her to the dorms, just let me know either way. Make sure to text if you get held up."
"Hai, sensei!" Kirishima exclaims.
Izuku nods easily, then crouches down and holds his arms out. "Can I carry you, Eri-chan?"
"Yes please," she agrees quietly.
Izuku smiles fondly, glad she's getting a bit more comfortable expressing herself, and obligingly picks her up.
They head out and catch the A train to Jedha. Most of the ride is spent with Kirishima regaling Eri with stories of various childhood mishaps (including a quirk accident and tales of him getting stuck up a tree) and soon enough, Izuku spies a ferris wheel out the window and he points it out to Eri and Kirishima. He’s rather excited, but Eri wrings her hands nervously. Izuku subtly glances at the clock at the front of the train car.
They’ve still got some time before they actually reach their station...
"Hey Eri-chan," he says softly. She blinks up at him. "Do you want to hear about my first time at a carnival?" Eri nods eagerly, eyes alight, and Kirishima gently shifts her from his lap to Izuku's so she can hear him easier.
"Well, I was about your age when my mom decided I was old enough to go to the carnival that came around every year!” he starts.
Izuku tells her of his own hesitation on the bigger rides, though he's careful to focus more on the 'realizing how much fun it was!’ part of it.
Izuku tries to make it fun to hear, though he doesn’t know how well he succeeds. Eri, at least, listens with rapt attention, and he catches Kirishima listening in out of what seems to be genuine curiosity. Then again, he eagerly listened earlier when Kirishima talked about getting stuck in trees and such, and he might’ve been nervous to talk about that.
Maybe it’s just a matter of perspective.
Either way, by the time they get off at the train station, Eri is calmer and Kirishima has their online tickets pulled up.
The carnival is only a three minute walk away, which means it’s no struggle for Izuku to carry Eri there. They all know she can walk, but it’s safer and easier this way. No chance of her getting lost or stolen, not when Izuku’s holding her close and Kirishima’s walking at his side, chattering up a storm.
They reach the carnival quickly, as expected, and they’re inside soon enough, away from the entrance so as not to get trampled. The carnival itself is set up inside a huge parking lot that’s perfect for these types of events, and each of them has fifteen tickets to use for any fifteen rides or games. It’s the perfect amount for a day at the fair!
Kirishima turns to Eri, eyes wide with excitement. “What do you wanna do first?” he asks eagerly.
She glances between him and Izuku, hesitant confusion coloring her face. “I, um, I-”
“Do you want to look around?” Izuku gently cuts it. “I know there’s a lot of activities.”
Eri nods eagerly, and Kirishima scoops her up. “Let’s go then!! Off to the carnival!”
They spend a good ten minutes just wandering around looking at all of the rides and games. The merry-go-round, the tall slides, the duck fishing games. Nothing immediately catches Eri’s eye, at least until they near the far end of the park and a familiar shape comes into view.
“What’s that?” Eri gasps.
“The big wheel thingy?” Kirishima checks. She nods, and he explains, “It’s called a ferris wheel! They’re lots of fun. Do you wanna go ride it?”
Eri’s eyes light up and she nods again. Izuku cheers a bit, and Kirishima adjusts his grip on Eri and leads them all over to the ride.
It’s smaller than what you’d find at an amusement park, having been built for children and travel, but it’s a joy all the same. Eri’s squished between Izuku and Kirishima as the ferris wheel takes them a fair bit higher than what they could ever see on their own or even via piggyback rides, and it’s a lovely view.
What’s even better is the way Eri clutches at his arm in nervous excitement when their cart starts to descend, even as she sports a small smile. He’s happy she’s happy, and a grin naturally falls onto his own face.
After that, Eri’s far more eager for the other rides. She rides the merry-go-round with no problem and bests Kirishima in a game of beanbag toss, which in turn prompts Izuku to spin her around to settle her against his side. They have funnel cake for lunch and goof around on the various rides, and have a blast together.
By the time five rolls around and they arrive back at Yuuei, they’re tired from their memorable day of fun but just as excited for the next one, whenever and whatever that may be.