Chapter Text
Kiyashi Ward shopping mall was full of people, buzzing with chatter and liveliness—shared laughter between friends and family. Hero Rankings announcements and the latest specials played on the TV big screens. The beams pinned to the ceiling made it look like day 24/7 inside the large building.
Quirk-usage warning posters, small flyers for agency recruitment, and big commercial billboards clung to the yellow walls and hung overhead. Music blared through the various shops you passed by, each with a different tune. The phantom scent of fried chicken still wafted under your nose.
Amidst the noise and advertisements, Eri and you found yourselves at Superstore.
It was a big shop with just about whatever random trinkets, toys, and snacks you could think of.
The six-year-old wanted to check it out.
It was one of the last things on your list, but you didn’t mind. You planned to watch an animated movie, Light of the World then get a meal at a fast food restaurant, and lastly do some mild shopping, but the movie started later. The order didn’t matter as long as you did it together—that's what counted.
You had a tight grasp on the little girl’s small hands. A few times, Eri tried to pull free and run off excitedly—pointing at something. “Look at this, big sis!”
Your heart fluttered when she called you big sis.
She’s so cute.
“That’s so cool, Eri-chan, but don’t let go of my hand, okay?” you instructed, keeping your voice soft yet firm. “I don’t want you to get lost.”
“Okay, sis!” the girl nodded enthusiastically. “Can we get gummy worms and-and candies—please? Daddy won’t ever buy me,” she jutted out her bottom lip, pouting.
“That can’t be true,” you laughed, knowing Mr. Aizawa never held back when it came to his kids. He was strict when need be, but you knew he was a secret softie. “Maybe he just wants you to be healthy.”
Eri giggled as you strolled to the snack section, heading straight for the sugary treats. Her red eyes lit up at the variety of flavours, colors and different kinds of treats. You let her hand slip from yours since she was in your sight. With all the options, it took you at least a few minutes to decide.
“I think I’ll take these!” you said, finally satisfied, taking the snacks from the row you wanted. “Eri-chan, what’d you get?”
Your smile dropped immediately when you noticed the six-year-old was no longer behind you in the half-empty aisle.
“Eri?”
For a moment, time slowed down.
The sounds around you drowned out as you caught no sight of Eri’s little red jacket anywhere.
The lights suddenly felt too bright.
“Oh no,” your breath shortened a beat, distressed. “This can’t be happening.”
The chips, chocolate, and speckled eggs slipped from your clammy grasp.
“Calm down.”
The brown knitted sweater you wore suddenly felt too tight—too hot.
Taking a breath to steady yourself, your legs kicked into gear. “She can’t have gone too far.”
God, where is she? I should’ve taken Zuku’s offer. I shouldn't been more attentive—but this could've happened to anyone!
You rushed to the toy section of the store at high speed. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you blocked out the negative thoughts that threatened to attack.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” Izuku asked, brows furrowing in concern. His brain was already calculating all possibilities. “What if a villain tries something, or you and Eri get kidnapped—”
The seventeen-year-old started muttering in one seamless breath.
It wasn’t your first trip to the mall alone, but taking Eri along would be your responsibility.
“Zuku.”
He paused, his attention finally fixed on you.
“It’ll be fine. You have work today, remember, hero?” You cupped his jaw, and he leaned into your warm palm, smiling cutely. “I may not have a quirk like yours or be nearly as good, but—”
You could enhance or temporarily disable someone else’s quirk. Not flashy or a genius ability, but it aided heroes. It only lasted about three minutes for now, which was more than before. You made do with what you had and made it work.
You were good at improvising and tinkering.
You were a hero support student, Class 3-F, and a year older than your boyfriend.
“Don’t say that,” he said sharply, leaving no room for argument. “You’re perfect. I just…”
Tomura Shigaraki.
The League.
They were no longer a threat, but he was still haunted by the events that occurred three years ago.
“I’ll be careful. I promise, Zuku,” you replied, squeezing his scarred hands. Giving him a quick peck on his freckled cheek, you continued, “I know we’ll have a great day. If anything were to happen—you’d be the first one I’d call.”
“Well,” you reconsidered, thinking of Mr. Aizawa’s glowing red orbs. “Your dad, actually.”
As you searched for the kindergartener, memories of earlier flashed back and forth like a taunt—mocking you.
“Eri!”
There was no trace of a tiny head with bluish, off-white hair anywhere in the children’s section. Instead of having a full-blown panic attack, you scouted the remaining aisles as quickly as you could.
Unlocking your phone, your throat tightened at the pop-up messages on your home screen.
Zuku 💕: I miss you already :( — 12:41 AM ✓
Zuku 💕: Let me know if you need anything at all. I’ll be there. I’m working half-day! — 12:46 AM ✓
Zuku 💕: I love you >3 — 12:53 PM ✓
You swiped his messages away with a heavy heart.
The boy loved to spam you with messages—more so when he was worried. Biting the inside of your cheek, you clicked on Eri’s picture.
Izuku is going to hate me.
Mr. Aizawa—his dad—is going to kill me.
You had one job.
It was a girl-bonding trip you initiated.
You wanted to get to know Izuku’s little sister better.
You even invited Ochako, Tsuyu, and Mina but they sadly couldn’t make it.
“I-I’ll take good care of her, Mr. Aizawa,” you said, fidgeting with the tiny silver butterfly promise ring on your finger.
The insomniac stared numbly, sipping coffee. His ‘Best Farter Ever. Whoops. I mean Father’ cup made you hold back a laugh.
“You’re practically family now,” he said, chugging the warm beverage down. “I trust you.”
His countenance softened for a split second. “Just don’t come home too late. Eri still has some homework to do.”
“I understand—” you said, scratching your chin sheepishly. “Izuku and I—” haven’t been dating that long, but it felt like forever.
His family was so welcoming.
You didn’t want to let anyone down.
“Thanks, Mr. Aizawa.”
“I told you, Shouta is fine. I need some more coffee or a nap,” he winced, rubbing his temples and looking down at the empty mug. A white cat curled itself around Shouta’s leg and purred. “You girls enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, Mr. Shouta,” you bowed, feeling delighted at the old man’s approval.