Work Text:
Shota Aizawa was asleep.
This was not unusual.
Shota Aizawa was asleep at the kitchen table.
This was also not unusual.
Shota Aizawa was asleep at the kitchen table with his forehead resting directly beside a half-finished cup of coffee...
That was concerning.
Eri stood in the doorway.
She stared.
Aizawa didn't move.
Eri took one careful step into the room.
Nothing.
Another.
Still nothing.
She approached the table.
Looked at him.
Then...
Very gently...
Poked his shoulder.
"...Aizawa?"
Nothing.
Poke.
"Aizawa?"
A grunt.
Eri waited.
One tired eye opened.
"...Morning."
Eri frowned.
"You fell asleep."
"I noticed."
"At the table."
"Also noticed."
She looked at the coffee.
"Your coffee's cold."
Aizawa lifted his head.
Hair flattened against one side of his face.
He looked at the mug.
Then the clock.
Then Eri.
"...How long was I asleep?"
She shrugged.
"You were already asleep when I came in."
"Helpful."
"You're welcome."
His lips twitched.
Aizawa picked up the coffee.
Took a sip.
Immediately regretted it.
Eri watched.
"Bad?"
"Terrible."
"Are you going to drink it anyway?"
"Yes."
Eri made a face.
Aizawa took another sip.
He'd been busy.
Eri knew that.
There had been hero work.
Then school.
Then paperwork.
Then something involving one of his students that Eri hadn't completely understood.
Then more hero work.
Aizawa hadn't complained.
Aizawa never really complained.
Not properly.
He just became...
More Aizawa.
Quieter.
Grumpier.
More likely to fall asleep in strange places.
Eri had found him asleep on the sofa twice that week.
Once in his sleeping bag.
Once at the kitchen table.
And yesterday...
She was fairly certain he'd fallen asleep
sitting upright while watching television.
He'd denied it.
Eri knew he was lying.
"Do you have work today?"
Aizawa grunted.
"No."
"School?"
"No."
"Hero stuff?"
"Hopefully not."
Eri smiled.
"So you're staying home?"
"That's the plan."
"Good."
Aizawa looked at her.
She was still smiling.
His expression softened slightly.
"Want breakfast?"
Eri nodded.
"Yes, please."
He started standing.
The doorbell rang.
Aizawa stopped.
Looked towards the hallway.
Then at the clock.
"...It's eight-thirty."
Eri's eyes widened.
She ran towards the door.
Aizawa sighed.
"Don't open it until you know who-"
"Deku!"
Of course.
The door opened.
Izuku Midoriya stood outside.
Backpack over one shoulder.
Large paper bag in one hand.
Bright smile.
"Morning!"
Eri immediately hugged him.
Izuku laughed.
"Whoa!"
He shifted the bag out of danger and hugged her back.
"Morning, Eri!"
She stepped back.
"What are you doing here?"
"I brought breakfast."
Eri's eyes widened.
"What breakfast?"
Izuku smiled.
"That's a surprise."
She immediately looked inside the bag.
"Eri!"
Too late.
"Pancakes!"
Izuku sighed.
"Was a surprise."
"I was surprised."
"...Fair."
Aizawa appeared behind her.
Izuku looked up.
His smile disappeared.
"...Aizawa-sensei."
"What?"
Izuku stared.
Aizawa stared back.
"You look..."
Izuku stopped himself.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.
"...Finish that sentence carefully."
"...tired."
"Acceptable."
Eri nodded seriously.
"He fell asleep in his coffee."
"I did not fall asleep in my coffee."
"Next to it."
"Important distinction."
Izuku looked between them.
Then at Aizawa again.
His expression changed.
"You have today off, right?"
"Supposedly."
"Good."
Aizawa immediately became
suspicious.
"Why?"
Izuku smiled.
"I'll take Eri."
Silence.
Eri looked up.
Aizawa stared.
Izuku continued:
"We were talking about doing something soon anyway, and you haven't had a proper day off in ages, so..."
He shrugged.
"I'll take her out."
"You can stay here."
"Sleep."
"Read."
"Whatever."
Aizawa stared at him.
Then…
"You voluntarily came here at eight-thirty on your day off to take responsibility for a nine-year-old."
Izuku nodded.
"Yep."
Aizawa looked at Eri.
Then back at Izuku.
"...What did you do?"
"What?"
"What are you feeling guilty about?"
"Nothing!"
"Break something?"
"No!"
"Damage school property?"
"No!"
"Hospital?"
"NO!"
Eri giggled.
Izuku folded his arms.
"I'm trying to do something nice."
"That's suspicious."
"Aizawa-sensei!"
Aizawa's lips twitched.
Eri looked between them.
Then tugged lightly on Aizawa's sleeve.
"Can I go?"
Aizawa looked down.
Her eyes were bright.
Excited.
He sighed.
"Yes."
Eri smiled.
Izuku pumped one fist.
"Great!"
"However."
Izuku froze.
Aizawa pointed at him.
"Phone on."
"Obviously."
"Message me."
"Yep."
"No hero work unless it's unavoidable."
"Absolutely."
"Don't let her eat rubbish all day."
Izuku nodded.
Eri frowned.
"Define rubbish."
Both men looked at her.
She smiled innocently.
Aizawa sighed.
"You're definitely his problem today."
They ate breakfast first.
Izuku unpacked the pancakes.
Fruit.
Juice.
Several toppings.
Aizawa stared at the selection.
"You bought enough for six people."
"I wasn't sure what everyone wanted."
"There are three of us."
"I know."
"You bought four kinds of syrup."
"Options are important."
Eri nodded.
"I agree."
Aizawa looked at her.
"Of course you do."
They sat.
Eri built her pancakes carefully.
Strawberries.
Banana.
A little syrup.
Izuku watched.
Then something occurred to him.
"Oh!"
Aizawa immediately looked concerned.
"No."
Izuku blinked.
"I haven't said anything."
"Still no."
"But-"
"No."
Eri giggled.
Izuku frowned.
"You don't even know my idea."
"I know you."
"That's not fair."
"Life isn't fair."
Izuku turned towards Eri.
"I had an idea for today."
She tilted her head.
"What?"
"Have you ever heard of a Yes Day?"
Eri shook her head.
"No."
Aizawa slowly stopped eating.
His eyes moved towards Izuku.
"...Midoriya."
Izuku ignored him.
"So basically..."
He smiled at Eri.
"For one whole day, you get to choose what we do."
Eri blinked.
Aizawa closed his eyes.
Izuku continued.
"If you ask me for something..."
He pointed at himself.
"...I have to say yes."
Eri's eyes widened.
Aizawa put down his fork.
"You're an idiot."
Izuku looked offended.
"It'll be fun!"
"It'll be a disaster."
"No, it won't!"
"You're giving a child unlimited authority."
"Not unlimited!"
Eri looked between them.
"What are the rules?"
Aizawa pointed at her.
"See? She's already smarter than you."
"Aizawa-sensei."
Izuku thought.
"Okay."
"Nothing dangerous."
Eri nodded.
"Nothing illegal."
Another nod.
"Nothing ridiculously expensive."
She nodded again.
"No using Quirks to cause trouble."
"Okay."
"And if there's an actual emergency,
Yes Day pauses."
Eri considered everything.
Then…
"Can I ask anything else?"
Izuku smiled.
"Anything within reason."
She frowned.
"What's within reason?"
Izuku opened his mouth.
Stopped.
Aizawa picked up his coffee.
"He's regretting this already."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm establishing parameters."
"You're panicking."
"I'm not panicking!"
Eri giggled.
Then she became quiet.
Izuku noticed.
Her fingers played with the edge of her
napkin.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"If I ask for something..."
She hesitated.
"...You have to say yes?"
"That's the deal."
"Even if you don't want to?"
Izuku thought about it.
"Well..."
He smiled.
"If it's within the rules, yeah."
Eri looked down.
Another pause.
Then...
"You won't get cross?"
The room changed.
Just slightly.
Izuku's smile softened.
Aizawa stopped drinking.
Eri still wasn't looking at either of them.
"If I ask too much."
Izuku felt something tighten in his chest.
Oh.
He hadn't thought about that.
Not really.
To him...
It had been a fun idea.
Give Eri a day where she picked everything.
Make her laugh.
Give Aizawa a break.
Simple.
But Eri wasn't asking whether Izuku would get tired.
She was asking whether wanting too much would make him angry.
Izuku put his fork down.
"Eri."
She looked up.
"No."
Her eyes searched his face.
"I won't get cross."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She hesitated.
"Even if it's silly?"
Izuku smiled.
"Especially if it's silly."
A tiny smile appeared.
"Okay."
Aizawa watched them.
Quiet.
Then Eri looked at Izuku.
"So..."
"Yes?"
She thought.
Really thought.
Her first request.
Infinite possibilities.
The entire day was hers.
Finally...
"Can I have chocolate on my pancakes?"
Izuku blinked.
Then laughed.
"Yes."
Eri smiled.
Izuku handed over the chocolate sauce.
She poured a little.
Stopped.
Looked at him.
"More?"
"Yes."
She poured more.
Aizawa watched the amount.
"That's enough."
Eri immediately looked at Izuku.
"Deku?"
Izuku froze.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.
Eri smiled.
"Can I have more?"
Izuku looked at Aizawa.
Aizawa stared back.
This was a test.
He knew it.
Eri knew it.
Aizawa definitely knew it.
Izuku swallowed.
"...Yes."
Eri grinned.
Chocolate sauce poured.
Aizawa closed his eyes.
"I already hate Yes Day."
Twenty minutes later...
Eri was dressed.
Small backpack.
Comfortable shoes.
Hair brushed.
Ready.
Izuku stood by the door.
Aizawa crouched in front of her.
"Listen to Midoriya."
"I will."
"Stay close."
"I will."
"If something happens-"
"I call you."
"Good."
Eri hugged him.
Aizawa paused.
Then wrapped his arms around her.
"Have fun."
"I will."
She pulled back.
Then pointed at him.
"You have to rest."
Aizawa raised an eyebrow.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"This isn't your Yes Day with me."
Eri frowned.
Then looked at Izuku.
"Deku?"
Izuku immediately knew what was coming.
"...Yes?"
"Can you tell Aizawa he has to rest?"
Izuku stared.
Aizawa stared.
Eri waited.
Izuku slowly turned.
"Aizawa-sensei..."
"Don't."
"You should rest."
"Midoriya."
"It's Yes Day."
"Get out of my house."
Eri burst out laughing.
They stepped into the hallway.
Izuku adjusted his backpack.
"Ready?"
Eri nodded.
"Yep."
He started walking.
Then noticed she hadn't moved.
He looked back.
Eri stood beside the door.
Watching him.
"Everything okay?"
She nodded.
Then...
"Can I hold your hand?"
Izuku's expression softened instantly.
He held it out.
"Yes."
Eri hurried forward.
Her small hand slipped into his.
Izuku squeezed gently.
They started down the hallway.
Outside...
The morning was bright.
Busy.
Full of possibilities.
They reached the end of the street.
Izuku looked down.
"So."
Eri looked up.
"What first?"
She thought.
Then pointed.
"Can we get ice cream?"
Izuku stared.
"Eri."
She smiled.
"It's nine-thirty in the morning."
Her smile widened.
Izuku sighed.
He had done this to himself.
"...Yes."
"YES!"
Eri pulled him towards the shops.
Izuku laughed.
"Slow down!"
From the apartment window...
Aizawa watched them disappear around the corner.
He held his replacement coffee.
Still hot this time.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Izuku.
Midoriya: We're off! Don't worry 👍
Then another.
Midoriya: Also apparently we're getting ice cream.
Aizawa stared.
Another message.
Midoriya: For some reason.
Aizawa typed-
Aizawa: You told her she controls the day.
A pause.
Midoriya: I know.
Then-
Midoriya: This may have been a tactical error.
Aizawa's lips twitched.
He put the phone down.
Walked towards the sofa.
Stopped.
Looked around.
Quiet.
Completely quiet.
He sighed.
Lay down.
Pulled a blanket over himself.
And for once...
Allowed somebody else to worry about
Eri for the day.
Meanwhile...
Eri stood in front of an ice cream counter.
Her eyes moved across every flavour.
Izuku waited.
Patiently.
Finally...
She pointed.
"Strawberry."
"Good choice."
"And..."
She looked at him carefully.
"Can I have two scoops?"
Izuku smiled.
"Yes."
Eri's smile grew.
"And sprinkles?"
"Yes."
"Chocolate sauce?"
"Yes."
"A flake?"
Izuku stared.
Eri waited.
His eyes narrowed.
"You're getting the hang of this."
She giggled.
"Is that a yes?"
Izuku sighed dramatically.
"...Yes."
Eri beamed.
And just like that...
Yes Day had officially begun.
Eri had created a masterpiece.
Two scoops of strawberry ice cream.
Sprinkles.
Chocolate sauce.
A flake.
At nine forty-three in the morning.
She sat on a bench outside the shop.
Completely delighted.
Izuku sat beside her with a coffee.
He looked at the ice cream.
Then at Eri.
Then back at the ice cream.
"...Aizawa-sensei is going to kill me."
Eri took another bite.
"You said yes."
"I know."
"That means it's your fault."
Izuku slowly turned.
Eri smiled.
"...You've had this power for less than an hour."
She giggled.
The ice cream disappeared remarkably quickly.
Izuku handed her a tissue.
"Face."
Eri wiped her mouth.
"Got it?"
He looked.
"Nope."
She tried again.
"Now?"
"Other side."
Another wipe.
"Now?"
Izuku laughed.
"Come here."
He took the tissue.
Wiped a small streak of chocolate from
her cheek.
"There."
Eri smiled.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
They started walking.
Izuku had deliberately avoided making a plan.
That was difficult.
Izuku liked plans.
Schedules.
Routes.
Backup routes.
Emergency routes.
Estimated travel times.
He had checked the weather.
Obviously.
But beyond that...
Nothing.
Today belonged to Eri.
She walked beside him.
Still holding his hand.
Her eyes moved everywhere.
Shop windows.
Signs.
People.
Restaurants.
Every few minutes...
Izuku noticed her looking at something.
But she didn't ask.
Not yet.
They passed a toy shop.
Eri slowed.
Izuku slowed too.
She looked through the window.
Plushies.
Games.
Figures.
Craft sets.
Her eyes lingered on a large stuffed rabbit.
Then...
She started walking again.
Izuku followed.
He didn't say anything.
Five steps.
Ten.
Then…
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we go in?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
Eri immediately turned around.
The shop was enormous.
Eri walked slowly through the aisles.
Izuku followed.
She picked things up.
Looked at them.
Put them back.
A puzzle.
Back.
A small hero figure.
Back.
Colouring pencils.
Back.
Izuku watched.
Eventually...
She returned to the rabbit.
It wasn't enormous.
Not really.
But in Eri's arms...
It looked enormous.
White fur.
Long ears.
Little yellow bow.
She hugged it.
Izuku smiled.
Eri looked at the price.
Her expression changed.
She carefully returned it to the shelf.
Izuku noticed.
"Don't want it?"
Eri shrugged.
"It's expensive."
Izuku looked.
It wasn't cheap.
But...
It wasn't ridiculous either.
He remembered the rules.
Nothing ridiculously expensive.
This didn't qualify.
Before he could speak...
Eri looked up.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I..."
She stopped.
Looked at the rabbit.
Then back at him.
"...have it?"
There was that hesitation again.
Like she was bracing for something.
Izuku smiled.
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
"But it's-"
"You asked."
Eri looked at him.
Then at the rabbit.
Then grabbed it again.
Hugged it tightly.
"Thank you!"
Izuku laughed.
"You're welcome."
At the till...
The cashier smiled.
"What's their name?"
Eri looked at the rabbit.
She hadn't considered that.
"Hmm..."
Izuku waited.
Then Eri looked at him.
"Deku."
He blinked.
"...You're naming it Deku?"
"No."
"Oh."
She giggled.
"I was asking you."
"Right."
"What should I call him?"
Izuku considered it.
"Well..."
He looked at the yellow bow.
"How about Sunny?"
Eri looked down.
"...Sunny."
She smiled.
"I like it."
The cashier scanned Sunny.
Eri hugged him all the way out of the shop.
They reached the next street.
Eri stopped.
"Deku?"
"Yep?"
"Can I carry the bag?"
Izuku looked at the small shopping bag.
Then at the enormous rabbit already filling most of her arms.
"You sure?"
She nodded.
He handed it over.
"Yes."
Eri took approximately six steps.
Stopped.
"...Can you carry the bag?"
Izuku laughed.
"Yes."
Twenty minutes later...
They found an arcade.
This time Eri didn't walk past.
She stopped immediately.
Looked at Izuku.
"Can we?"
"Yes."
That one came faster.
She smiled.
Izuku exchanged some money for
tokens.
Eri stared at the rows of machines.
Lights.
Music.
Racing games.
Rhythm games.
Claw machines.
Air hockey.
Basketball.
Her eyes widened.
"Where first?"
Eri pointed.
"That."
Izuku followed her finger.
Whack-a-mole.
He grinned.
"Good choice."
Eri was terrifying.
Izuku learned this quickly.
The game began.
Moles appeared.
Eri attacked.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Izuku stared.
WHACK.
WHACK.
WHACK.
WHACK.
The timer ended.
Eri looked at the score.
Then at Izuku.
"Was that good?"
He stared at her.
"...Remind me never to annoy you."
Eri burst out laughing.
Next...
Racing.
Eri chose a bright pink car.
Izuku chose green.
Obviously.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
The race began.
Izuku immediately took the lead.
Eri frowned.
Then caught him.
Then crashed.
"Deku!"
"What?"
"Wait!"
"It's a race!"
"Yes Day!"
Izuku's eyes widened.
"You cannot use Yes Day to make me lose!"
"Can you slow down?"
He stared at her.
Eri smiled sweetly.
"...Yes."
He slowed.
Eri overtook him.
"HEY!"
She laughed.
The screen flashed.
1ST — ERI
2ND — IZUKU
Eri threw both hands up.
"I WON!"
"You cheated!"
"You said yes!"
"That is not how racing works!"
"It worked."
Izuku stared.
She grinned.
"...Aizawa-sensei has been a terrible influence on you."
Air hockey.
Izuku won.
Eri demanded a rematch.
Izuku won again.
Third game...
Eri narrowed her eyes.
"Deku?"
"No."
She gasped.
"You said no!"
Izuku froze.
"...Oh no."
Eri pointed.
"You broke Yes Day!"
"I haven't even heard the request!"
"You still said no."
Izuku covered his face.
"Fine."
Eri smiled.
"Can you play with one hand?"
Izuku slowly lowered his hands.
"...You planned that."
Eri nodded.
"Yes."
He stared.
Then laughed.
"Fine."
He put one hand behind his back.
"Yes."
Eri destroyed him.
They moved deeper into the arcade.
Eri spotted a photo booth.
She stopped.
Izuku saw it too.
Immediately:
"N-."
Eri turned.
Izuku's eyes widened.
"I mean-"
"You did it again."
"That wasn't a response!"
"It sounded like one."
"Eri."
She smiled.
"Can we take pictures?"
Izuku sighed.
"Yes."
"With costumes?"
He looked through the booth window.
Props.
Hats.
Glasses.
Animal ears.
"...Yes."
Eri's eyes landed on something.
Her smile became dangerous.
Izuku followed her gaze.
Pink bunny ears.
"N-."
"Deku!"
"I KNOW."
Three minutes later...
Izuku Midoriya sat inside a photo booth.
Wearing pink bunny ears.
Eri sat beside him.
Wearing cat ears.
Sunny the rabbit sat between them.
Izuku stared at the camera.
"I want it officially recorded that I was coerced."
Eri giggled.
"You promised."
"I didn't understand the consequences."
The countdown began.
3
Eri smiled.
2
Izuku sighed.
1
Flash.
Second picture.
Eri gave him bunny paws.
Izuku stared.
"You cannot be serious."
"Please?"
He looked at her.
Eri smiled.
"...Yes."
Flash.
Third picture.
Eri held Sunny up between them.
Izuku smiled properly this time.
Flash.
Fourth picture.
Eri suddenly leaned over.
Wrapped both arms around Izuku's neck.
Izuku's eyes widened.
Then immediately softened.
His arm went around her.
Flash.
The strip printed.
Eri grabbed it.
She studied every picture.
Giggles.
More giggles.
Then she reached the last one.
Stopped.
Izuku looked over.
It was slightly blurry.
Neither of them looking at the camera properly.
Eri's eyes closed.
Izuku halfway through laughing.
Her arms around him.
His around her.
Eri touched the picture.
"...I like this one."
Izuku smiled.
"Me too."
The machine had printed two strips.
Izuku handed one to her.
"One each."
Eri looked up.
"You want one?"
"Of course."
Her smile grew.
She carefully put hers into her backpack.
Izuku tucked his into his wallet.
They played more games.
Basketball.
Eri lost.
Rhythm game.
Izuku was appalling.
Eri laughed so hard she nearly missed her own notes.
Claw machine.
They attempted to win a tiny Eraser Head plushie.
Twenty minutes later...
Izuku had become emotionally invested.
"Okay."
He crouched slightly.
Studied the claw.
"Previous attempts indicate the grip strength is intentionally weak, but if we position it behind the scarf and account for the lateral drift-"
Eri stared.
"Deku."
"-Then when the claw rises, the centre of gravity should-"
"Deku."
“-Shift approximately-"
"Deku!"
He stopped.
"...Yeah?"
"You're muttering."
"Oh."
"Sorry."
She smiled.
"It's okay."
Attempt twelve.
The claw descended.
Caught the plushie.
Lifted.
Moved.
Dropped.
Straight into the chute.
Eri gasped.
"WE GOT HIM!"
Izuku threw both hands up.
"YES!"
Eri grabbed the plushie.
Held it beside Sunny.
Tiny Eraser Head.
Giant rabbit.
She giggled.
"We should give it to Aizawa."
Izuku blinked.
"You don't want to keep it?"
Eri shook her head.
"He needs a present."
Izuku smiled.
"Okay."
Eri looked at the plushie.
Then-
"Do you think he'll like it?"
Izuku considered Shota Aizawa willingly displaying a plush version of himself.
"...Absolutely not."
Eri's face fell.
Izuku grinned.
"Which means it's perfect."
She laughed.
Eventually...
They left the arcade.
Izuku checked the time.
12:37 PM
"Wow."
Eri looked up.
"What?"
"We've been in there nearly three
hours."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Did you have fun?"
Izuku blinked.
The question surprised him.
"Yeah."
He smiled.
"Loads."
Eri looked pleased.
Not because she'd had fun.
Because he had too.
They walked.
Eri hugged Sunny with one arm.
Held Izuku's hand with the other.
The little Eraser Head plushie stuck out of Izuku's backpack.
A few streets later...
Music drifted from somewhere ahead.
Eri's head turned.
A small crowd stood near a pedestrian square.
A street performer.
Guitar.
Singing.
Eri slowed.
Izuku noticed.
"Want to watch?"
She looked at him.
Then nodded.
"Can we?"
"Yes."
They stood near the back.
Eri watched.
Completely absorbed.
The performer finished one song.
Applause.
Eri clapped enthusiastically.
Another began.
She watched that too.
Izuku looked down.
There was something in her expression.
Wonder.
Curiosity.
Something else.
He smiled.
Didn't interrupt.
After the third song...
Eri tugged his sleeve.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we stay for another?"
"Yes."
They stayed.
Another finished.
Eri looked up.
"One more?"
"Yes."
Another.
"One more?"
Izuku laughed.
"Yes."
Eventually...
The performer packed away.
Eri waved.
The performer waved back.
She smiled.
Then they continued.
Izuku checked the time.
"Okay."
"Lunch."
Eri nodded.
"What do you want?"
She thought.
Then:
"Can we have crepes?"
Izuku stared.
"For lunch?"
She nodded.
"You had ice cream for breakfast."
"I also had pancakes."
"That doesn't help your case."
Eri smiled.
"Yes Day."
Izuku sighed.
"...Yes."
They found a crepe stand.
Eri chose strawberries and cream.
Izuku made the responsible decision.
Chicken and salad.
Eri stared at his.
"That's boring."
"It's lunch."
"It's vegetables."
"Vegetables are food."
"Not on Yes Day."
Izuku laughed.
They sat outside.
Eri ate happily.
Sunny occupied the chair beside her.
Izuku took out his phone.
One message.
Aizawa-sensei: Alive?
Izuku smiled.
Izuku: Yep.
He attached one of the photo booth pictures.
The bunny ears.
Naturally.
Three dots appeared.
Then-
Aizawa-sensei: I see she's learned how this works.
Izuku: Too well.
Aizawa-sensei: Your mistake.
Izuku: How's your day?
A pause.
Aizawa-sensei: Slept for four hours.
Izuku smiled.
Good.
Izuku: Go back to sleep.
Aizawa-sensei: You're not in charge of
my Yes Day.
Izuku laughed.
Eri looked up.
"What?"
"Aizawa-sensei."
"Is he resting?"
"Four-hour nap."
Eri smiled.
"Good."
She took another bite.
Then looked at Izuku.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask something?"
He grinned.
"That's kind of the point."
She smiled.
Then hesitated.
Izuku waited.
"Do you..."
She looked down at her crepe.
"...Have to do everything I want today?"
"As long as it follows the rules."
"But what about things you want?"
Izuku blinked.
"It's your day."
"I know."
She frowned slightly.
"But..."
She looked at him.
"You've done everything I wanted."
Izuku smiled.
"That's okay."
Eri thought about it.
Then...
Her expression brightened.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you choose what we do next?"
Izuku stared.
"...What?"
"You have to say yes."
He laughed.
"That's cheating."
Eri grinned.
"You said yes to cheating at racing."
"Against my will."
"You still said yes."
Izuku shook his head.
Then looked at her.
"You're sure?"
Eri nodded.
"I want to do something you want."
There it was again.
Not:
Can I have something?
But:
Can we do something together?
Izuku's expression softened.
"Okay."
Eri waited.
"What?"
He thought.
There were hundreds of things he could choose.
Hero museum.
Training exhibit.
All Might store.
Bookshop.
But...
He looked at Eri.
At Sunny.
At the ridiculous amount of shopping already accumulated.
At the little girl who had spent the morning slowly learning that she could ask him for things...
And had now used that power to give him a choice.
Izuku smiled.
"I know somewhere."
Eri's eyes lit up.
"Where?"
"It's a surprise."
She gasped.
"You said surprises are bad."
"I never said that."
"You said my pancakes were a surprise
and I looked."
"That doesn't mean surprises are bad!"
Eri giggled.
Izuku stood.
Held out his hand.
"Ready?"
Eri grabbed Sunny.
Then took his hand.
"Ready."
They started walking.
Five minutes later...
Eri looked up.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I guess?"
"Yes."
"Hero museum?"
"Nope."
"All Might shop?"
"Nope."
"U.A.?"
"No."
"Park?"
"No."
"Zoo?"
"No."
Izuku laughed.
"You're going to name every location in Japan."
"Can I?"
He looked down.
Eri grinned.
Izuku sighed.
"...Yes."
And Eri immediately continued
guessing.
Because she was definitely...
Definitely, getting the hang of this.
Eri had reached guess number twenty-seven.
"The aquarium?"
"No."
"Beach?"
"No."
"Library?"
"No."
"Hero agency?"
"No."
"Hospital?"
Izuku looked down.
"...Why would I choose the hospital?"
Eri shrugged.
"You go there a lot."
Izuku opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"...Fair."
They turned another corner.
Eri continued.
"Cinema?"
"No."
"Bowling?"
"No."
"Train station?"
"No."
"School?"
"You already said U.A."
"Different school."
"No."
"Your house?"
Izuku paused.
"Close."
Eri's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yep."
She looked around.
Then ahead.
Then...
Recognition.
"Oh!"
Izuku smiled.
The little restaurant hadn't changed much.
Same sign.
Same windows.
Same slightly cramped tables.
Same smell drifting through the doorway.
Eri looked up.
"Katsudon?"
Izuku grinned.
"Katsudon."
Her smile appeared.
"That's what you picked?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
Izuku shrugged.
"I like it."
Eri stared.
Then giggled.
"What?"
"You could pick anything."
"I know."
"And you picked lunch."
"Technically this is second lunch."
"You already ate."
"So did you."
"My crepe was lunch."
"My crepe was lunch too."
Eri frowned.
"Then this is..."
She thought.
"...extra lunch."
Izuku laughed.
"Exactly."
They went inside.
The owner recognised Izuku.
That was becoming increasingly common.
"Deku!"
Izuku immediately looked embarrassed.
"Hi."
Eri giggled.
The owner looked down.
"And who's this?"
Eri hugged Sunny slightly tighter.
"I'm Eri."
"Nice to meet you, Eri."
Then the owner looked at Izuku.
"Usual?"
Izuku smiled.
"Please."
Eri looked up.
"You have a usual?"
"I've been here a few times."
"A few?"
The owner laughed.
Izuku's face reddened.
"Okay, more than a few."
They sat.
Eri put Sunny in the chair beside her.
Izuku took off his backpack.
Tiny Eraser Head emerged slightly from the top.
Eri adjusted him.
"There."
Izuku looked at the two toys.
"Sunny's bigger than Aizawa-sensei."
"Much bigger."
"Think he'll be offended?"
Eri considered it.
"Yes."
They both laughed.
Food arrived.
Eri stared at Izuku's katsudon.
Then at her own smaller bowl.
Then back at his.
"What?"
"Yours is bigger."
"I'm bigger."
"That's not fair."
"That's biology."
She frowned.
"Deku?"
Izuku stopped.
His chopsticks hovered.
"...Yes?"
"Can I have some of yours?"
He stared at her bowl.
"You have exactly the same thing."
"Yours looks better."
"It's from the same kitchen."
"Please?"
Izuku sighed.
"Yes."
Eri smiled.
He moved a piece into her bowl.
She ate it.
Paused.
Izuku waited.
"...Well?"
Eri smiled.
"It is better."
"It is literally identical."
"No."
"Eri."
"Yes Day."
"Yes Day doesn't alter the flavour of katsudon!"
She giggled.
For a while...
They ate.
Talked.
Eri told him about school.
A maths test.
A girl in her class who had brought a beetle in for show-and-tell.
A book she was reading.
Something she'd drawn.
Normal things.
Little things.
Izuku listened to every one.
Eventually...
Eri looked at him.
"Deku?"
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"You didn't let me finish."
"I know."
"That still counts."
"Fine."
Izuku put his chopsticks down.
"Ask."
Eri played with the edge of her napkin.
"Do you remember when we met?"
Izuku became still.
He hadn't expected that.
"...Yeah."
"All of it?"
He nodded slowly.
"Pretty much."
Eri looked down.
"I don't."
Izuku waited.
"I remember some things."
She frowned.
"Bits."
"That's okay."
"I remember running into you."
Izuku's chest tightened.
Eri continued.
"And you holding me."
He swallowed.
"Yeah."
"And..."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the
napkin.
"I remember being scared."
Izuku's expression softened.
"You were."
She looked at him.
"Were you scared?"
Izuku blinked.
"Me?"
She nodded.
"When you came to get me."
He didn't answer immediately.
He could lie.
Tell her no.
Heroes weren't scared.
Deku wasn't scared.
Except...
That wasn't true.
So…
"Yes."
Eri's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Even with Lemillion?"
"Especially after Lemillion got hurt."
Eri looked down.
Izuku continued carefully.
"I was terrified."
"Overhaul was strong."
"I didn't know what was going to happen."
"I didn't know if I'd be able to stop him."
He paused.
"But..."
Eri looked up.
"I knew I had to try."
"Why?"
The question was quiet.
Simple.
Izuku knew exactly what she meant.
Why her?
Why had he turned around in that alley?
Why had Mirio?
Why had they come back?
Why had so many people risked themselves?
Izuku smiled.
"Because you needed someone."
Eri stared.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"But you didn't know me."
"Didn't matter."
Izuku leaned forward slightly.
"You needed help."
"And I could help."
"So I did."
Eri looked at him for a long moment.
Then…
"Would you do it again?"
Izuku didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Eri smiled.
Small.
Then looked back at her food.
Izuku let the silence sit.
No speech.
No dramatic declaration.
She didn't need one.
A few moments later...
Eri stole another piece of katsudon from his bowl.
Izuku stared.
"You didn't ask."
She froze.
Then slowly returned it.
"Deku?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Can I have another piece?"
He sighed.
"Yes."
She immediately took it back.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They left the restaurant half an hour later.
Eri took Izuku's hand again.
They walked.
Neither mentioned the conversation.
They didn't need to.
Then Eri suddenly stopped.
Izuku nearly kept going.
"Whoa."
He turned.
"What?"
Eri stared across the street.
Izuku followed her gaze.
A poster.
Bright.
Colourful.
A familiar face.
LEMILLION
Izuku smiled.
"Oh."
Eri looked at him.
"Deku?"
"Yes?"
"Can we see Lemillion?"
There it was.
Izuku grinned.
"Yes."
One phone call later...
"ERI!"
Mirio Togata appeared from approximately nowhere.
Eri's entire face lit up.
"Lemillion!"
Mirio crouched.
Eri ran straight into him.
He wrapped his arms around her.
Lifted her.
Spun once.
Eri laughed.
Izuku smiled.
Mirio put her down.
Then noticed Sunny.
His eyes widened.
"Who is THIS?"
Eri proudly held up the rabbit.
"Sunny."
Mirio gasped.
"Sunny!"
He shook one enormous paw.
"An honour."
Eri giggled.
Then Mirio noticed Izuku.
Specifically...
The pink bunny ears sticking out of his backpack.
Mirio became very quiet.
Izuku's eyes narrowed.
"No."
Mirio looked at Eri.
Eri looked at Mirio.
A connection formed.
Izuku immediately regretted everything.
"...Don't."
Eri smiled.
"It's Yes Day."
Mirio's eyebrows rose.
"Yes Day?"
Izuku sighed.
"Eri gets to decide what we do today."
"And you have to say yes?"
"Within reason."
Mirio slowly turned towards Eri.
Eri slowly turned towards Mirio.
Both smiled.
Izuku pointed.
"No."
Eri gasped.
"Again!"
"I retract it."
"Can't."
"That isn't a rule!"
"It should be."
Mirio crouched beside Eri.
"I have several ideas."
"Lemillion."
"Midoriya."
"Don't encourage her."
Mirio looked deeply offended.
"I would never."
Eri whispered something in his ear.
Mirio's grin widened.
Izuku backed away.
"Oh no."
Ten minutes later...
Izuku stood in front of a karaoke machine.
He stared at the screen.
Then at Mirio.
Then at Eri.
"No."
Eri pointed.
"That's five."
"I am allowed emotional reactions!"
Mirio laughed.
Eri held out the microphone.
"Deku."
Izuku stared at it.
"Please?"
He sighed.
Took the microphone.
"...Yes."
Eri cheered.
The song started.
Izuku looked at the title.
His face fell.
Of course.
An old All Might theme song.
Mirio saluted.
Eri clapped.
Izuku stared at both of them.
"You planned this."
"Maybe."
"Traitors."
Then...
He started singing.
Badly.
Very badly.
Eri laughed so hard she had to sit down.
Mirio joined in halfway through.
He was worse. Somehow.
Izuku stopped being embarrassed.
Mostly.
By the final chorus...
All three were singing.
Eri stood between them.
Microphone held in both hands.
Laughing through half the words.
The song ended.
They collapsed onto the seats.
Mirio wiped his forehead.
"Outstanding."
Izuku stared.
"Never again."
Eri looked at him.
"Deku?"
He immediately pointed.
"No."
She burst out laughing.
They spent the next hour together.
Another song.
Then another.
A drink.
A ridiculous game Mirio invented involving spotting heroes in the crowd.
Eri won.
Possibly because Mirio let her.
Possibly because she was genuinely better at it.
Izuku suspected both.
Eventually...
Mirio checked the time.
"Ah."
Eri looked up.
"You have to go?"
"Unfortunately."
Her smile faded slightly.
Mirio crouched in front of her.
"But..."
He tapped Sunny's nose.
"I expect a full report on the rest of Yes Day."
Eri nodded.
"I will."
"And..."
He leaned closer.
"Make Midoriya do something really embarrassing."
Izuku stared.
"Mirio."
Eri nodded solemnly.
"I will."
"ERI."
Mirio laughed.
Eri hugged him.
Mirio held her tight.
"Good seeing you."
"You too."
Then he looked at Izuku.
"Good luck."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"...No."
Mirio grinned.
"Later!"
He waved.
Then disappeared into the crowd.
Eri watched him go.
Still smiling.
Izuku stood beside her.
"Good choice."
She looked up.
"Yeah."
They started walking again.
A few minutes later...
Eri looked at Sunny.
Then at the little Eraser Head plushie.
Then...
"Deku?"
"Yep?"
"Can we get something else for Aizawa?"
Izuku looked down.
"Something else?"
She nodded.
"The toy is funny."
"It is."
"But..."
She thought.
"I want to get him something nice."
Izuku's expression softened.
"It's your Yes Day."
"I know."
"You can pick something for yourself."
"I know."
"You're sure?"
Eri nodded.
"He looked really tired."
Izuku smiled.
"Yeah."
"He does lots of stuff for me."
"He does."
"So..."
She looked around.
"I want to."
Izuku squeezed her hand.
"Okay."
Then Eri frowned.
"Deku."
"Yeah?"
"You didn't say it."
He blinked.
Then realised.
He smiled.
"Yes."
Eri smiled back.
They found a little shop.
Nothing fancy.
Books.
Stationery.
Mugs.
Small gifts.
Eri wandered.
She considered a scarf.
"No."
A mug.
"No."
A notebook.
"Maybe."
Then...
She found it.
A small black cat.
Not a toy.
A little ceramic figure.
The cat was curled into a ball.
Fast asleep.
Eri picked it up.
Her eyes lit up.
"Deku."
Izuku looked.
Immediately laughed.
"Oh, that's perfect."
"It looks like him."
"It really does."
Eri turned it over.
Checked the price.
Then looked at Izuku.
"Can we get this?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
They paid.
Eri carefully placed the wrapped cat inside her backpack.
Beside her photo strip.
Izuku watched.
"He's going to pretend he doesn't like it."
"I know."
"He'll probably say it's unnecessary."
"I know."
"He'll definitely keep it."
Eri smiled.
"I know."
They stepped outside.
The afternoon had begun to soften.
Still plenty of daylight.
But they'd been out for hours.
Eri looked slightly tired now.
Not enough to admit it.
Obviously.
Izuku knew better than to mention it.
They walked towards a park.
Eri's hand stayed in his.
After a while...
She spoke.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"You said I can ask anything, right?"
Izuku looked down.
"Within reason."
"Within reason."
She nodded seriously.
Then went quiet.
Izuku waited.
Eri's fingers tightened around his slightly.
"Anything?"
There was something different in her voice.
Izuku stopped walking.
Eri stopped too.
He crouched so they were closer to eye level.
"Anything."
She looked at him.
"Promise?"
Izuku smiled.
"Promise."
Eri thought.
Then...
"Not yet."
He blinked.
"What?"
She smiled.
"I haven't decided."
Izuku laughed.
"Okay."
He stood.
Eri took his hand again.
They continued walking.
But now...
Izuku was curious.
Because Eri had asked for ice cream.
A rabbit.
Arcade games.
Photographs.
Crepes.
Katsudon.
Mirio.
A present for Aizawa.
Little things.
Big things.
Silly things.
Important things.
And somewhere inside her head...
She was saving one.
One request she wasn't quite ready to make yet.
Izuku looked down at her.
Eri hugged Sunny closer.
Whatever it was...
When she was ready...
His answer would be the same.
Yes.
By five o'clock...
Izuku was suspicious.
Eri had not made the request.
The request.
The mysterious one.
The one she'd asked whether she could ask.
Then decided not to ask.
Yet.
Izuku was trying not to think about it.
He was failing.
They sat together on a bench in the park.
Eri ate an apple.
Finally.
Actual fruit.
Izuku had almost celebrated when she'd chosen it.
Then remembered that would probably encourage her to request cake out of spite.
Sunny sat beside her.
The giant rabbit had somehow become a full participant in Yes Day.
Izuku held several shopping bags.
His backpack contained:
One tiny Eraser Head plushie.
One ceramic sleeping cat.
Two photo booth strips.
Pink bunny ears.
And several things he couldn't remember agreeing to buy but apparently had.
Eri swung her legs beneath the bench.
Izuku looked at her.
She looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She took another bite.
Izuku looked away.
Five seconds.
He looked back.
Eri caught him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You keep looking at me."
"No, I don't."
"You do."
Izuku sighed.
"Are you going to ask?"
Eri smiled.
"Ask what?"
"You know what."
"No."
"The thing."
"What thing?"
"The thing you asked if you could ask!"
Eri giggled.
Izuku stared.
"...You're doing this deliberately."
"Maybe."
"Aizawa-sensei has corrupted you."
"You've said that already."
"Because it's true."
Eri finished her apple.
Izuku checked the time.
"Okay."
"We should probably start thinking about heading back soon."
Eri's expression changed.
Just slightly.
Izuku noticed.
"Not right now."
She looked up.
"We've still got time."
Her smile returned.
"Okay."
He stood.
"Anything else you want to do before we head home?"
Eri thought.
"Can we go on the swings?"
Izuku smiled.
"Yes."
The playground wasn't busy.
A few younger children.
Parents nearby.
Eri put Sunny on a bench.
Then ran towards the swings.
Izuku followed.
She climbed onto one.
Looked at him.
"Push me?"
"Yes."
Izuku stood behind her.
One gentle push.
Then another.
Eri swung forward.
Higher.
Back.
Higher.
Her hair moved in the breeze.
"Deku!"
"Yeah?"
"Higher!"
Izuku laughed.
"Yes."
She laughed.
Not the huge, uncontrollable laughter from karaoke.
Not the mischievous giggling from forcing him into bunny ears.
Just… Happy.
Izuku smiled.
Eventually...
Eri slowed.
Izuku sat on the swing beside her.
His knees were far too high.
Eri looked at him.
"You don't fit."
"I fit."
"Barely."
"Still counts."
She giggled.
They swung gently.
For a while...
Nothing.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Was I annoying today?"
Izuku stopped his swing.
Eri looked down.
He frowned.
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"Well..."
She looked up.
He smiled.
"The bunny ears were pretty bad."
Eri laughed.
Then her expression became uncertain again.
"I asked for lots."
"You did."
"And you bought me things."
"Yep."
"And we did everything I wanted."
"Pretty much."
Eri looked at the ground.
"Was that bad?"
Izuku's chest tightened.
There it was.
Again.
He turned slightly towards her.
"Eri."
She looked up.
"No."
"But-"
"You didn't do anything wrong."
She frowned.
"I asked for loads."
"That's what today was for."
"You told me to."
"I know."
"But..."
She struggled with it.
"What if I asked for too much?"
Izuku thought carefully.
"I'd tell you."
Eri blinked.
"What?"
"If you asked for something that was actually too much..."
He smiled.
"...I'd tell you."
"But you said you can't say no."
"I can explain things."
"Yes Day doesn't mean I stop looking after you."
"It means I trust you to ask."
Eri stared.
"And..."
Izuku continued.
"You can ask me for things when it isn't Yes Day too."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You know that, right?"
She didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Izuku leaned forward.
"You might not always get a yes."
Eri looked down.
"But you're allowed to ask."
"Even if it's silly?"
"Yep."
"Even if it's something big?"
"Yep."
"Even if someone says no?"
"Yep."
He smiled.
"Wanting something doesn't make you bad."
Eri became very quiet.
Izuku didn't push.
Then… She looked at him.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"I know what my big one is."
Izuku immediately sat straighter.
"Okay."
This was it.
He mentally prepared himself.
Theme park.
A puppy.
Trip overseas.
Meeting All Might.
Another giant rabbit.
Somehow acquiring an actual rabbit.
A pony.
God.
What if she wanted a pony?
Could he afford a pony?
Where would Aizawa keep-
"Can I stay up until midnight?"
Izuku stared.
Eri waited.
He blinked.
"...What?"
"Midnight."
"Tonight?"
She nodded.
Izuku stared.
That was it?
That was the terrifying request?
"Eri, I thought you were going to ask for
a pony."
Her eyes widened.
"Can I have a pony?"
"NO."
Eri gasped.
Izuku covered his mouth.
They stared at each other.
Then Eri started laughing.
"You said no!"
"I panicked!"
"You broke Yes Day!"
"Aizawa-sensei would murder me!"
"You said anything within reason!"
"A PONY IS NOT WITHIN REASON!"
She laughed harder.
Izuku pointed at her.
"You're not getting a pony."
"I don't want a pony!"
"Good!"
"I want to stay up until midnight."
Izuku stopped.
Right.
That.
He looked at her.
"Midnight?"
"Midnight."
"That's very late."
"I know."
"You'll be exhausted."
"I know."
"You might fall asleep."
"I won't."
Izuku raised an eyebrow.
Eri sat straighter.
"I won't."
He smiled.
"Okay."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
Eri threw both arms into the air.
"YES!"
Several parents looked over.
Izuku laughed.
Then Eri stopped.
Her face changed.
"Oh."
"What?"
"Aizawa."
Izuku's smile disappeared.
"...Oh."
They stared at each other.
Eri slowly grinned.
"You said yes."
"I know."
"You have to tell him."
Izuku's eyes narrowed.
"You're enjoying this."
"Yes."
"...At least you're honest."
They left the park.
Eri carried Sunny.
Izuku carried everything else.
Halfway home...
Eri looked up.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we get popcorn?"
"Yes."
"For tonight."
"Yes."
"And hot chocolate?"
"Yes."
"And marshmallows?"
"Yes."
"And-"
"Eri."
She giggled.
"Yes?"
Izuku sighed.
"Nothing."
At 6:34 PM...
The apartment door opened.
Aizawa stood on the other side.
He looked...
Human. Barely.
But significantly more rested.
His hair was still a mess.
That wasn't fixable.
But the dark circles looked slightly less murderous.
Eri smiled.
"Aizawa!"
She walked straight in.
Aizawa looked at Sunny.
Then at the bags.
Then at Izuku.
Then at the bags again.
"...How much?"
Izuku avoided eye contact.
"Don't ask."
"Midoriya."
"It was Yes Day."
"That's not a number."
Eri held up Sunny.
"Look!"
Aizawa stared at the rabbit.
The rabbit stared back.
"...It's large."
"His name is Sunny."
"Of course it is."
"Deku named him."
Aizawa looked at Izuku.
Izuku shrugged.
"I panicked."
Eri hurried into the living room.
"We got you something!"
Aizawa frowned.
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
He stopped.
Eri dug through Izuku's backpack.
First...
She pulled out the tiny Eraser Head plushie.
Aizawa stared.
Eri smiled.
"It's you."
"No, it isn't."
"It has your scarf."
"Coincidence."
"And your hair."
"Unfortunate."
Izuku covered a laugh.
Eri handed it to him.
Aizawa took it.
Looked at it.
"...Thanks."
Eri smiled.
"There's another one."
She retrieved the small wrapped box.
Aizawa looked at her.
"Eri."
"Open it."
He did.
The ceramic black cat appeared.
Curled up. Sleeping.
Aizawa became very still.
Eri watched him.
"It looks like you."
Izuku snorted.
Aizawa looked at him.
"Don't."
Eri smiled.
"Do you like it?"
Shota looked down at the little cat.
Then at her.
"...Yeah."
Eri's smile widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
He carefully put it on the shelf.
Not hidden.
Right where it could be seen.
Izuku noticed.
So did Eri.
Neither said anything.
Aizawa looked at Izuku.
"Successful day?"
Izuku smiled.
"Very."
"We had ice cream for breakfast."
Aizawa's eyes closed.
"Eri."
"And pancakes."
"That doesn't improve it."
"And crepes."
"Midoriya."
"And katsudon!"
Izuku pointed.
"See? Real food."
"Eventually."
"We went to the arcade."
Eri continued.
"And we saw Lemillion."
Aizawa looked at Izuku.
"You involved Togata?"
"That was her request."
"He helped me make Deku sing."
Aizawa stared.
Izuku looked away.
"...Traitor."
Aizawa's mouth twitched.
Then Eri remembered.
"Oh!"
Izuku froze.
No.
Not yet.
Eri smiled.
"I get to stay up until midnight."
Aizawa slowly looked at Izuku.
Izuku smiled nervously.
"...Yes Day."
Silence.
Aizawa stared.
Izuku stared back.
Eri waited.
Finally…
"No."
Eri gasped.
Izuku pointed.
"SEE?"
Aizawa looked at him.
"You're not nine."
"That's not the point."
Eri stepped closer.
"But Deku promised."
Aizawa looked down.
She wasn't whining.
Wasn't demanding.
Just...
Reminding him.
Deku promised.
Aizawa looked at Izuku.
Izuku shrugged.
"I did."
Shota sighed.
Long. Deep. Defeated.
"Midnight."
Eri's eyes lit up.
"But."
She waited.
"You're staying here."
"Okay."
"Quiet night."
"Okay."
"No more sugar."
Eri looked at Izuku.
Izuku immediately raised both hands.
"Yes Day jurisdiction has transferred."
"Traitor."
Aizawa nodded.
"Good."
Then Eri smiled.
"Can Deku stay too?"
Izuku blinked.
Aizawa looked at her.
She hugged Sunny.
"For movie night."
Izuku looked at Shota.
Shota looked at Izuku.
Then at Eri.
He sighed.
"Fine."
Eri beamed.
Izuku smiled.
"Guess I'm staying."
By eight...
The living room had been transformed.
Blankets. Pillows. Popcorn. Sunny. Tiny Eraser Head.
Aizawa sat at one end of the sofa.
Izuku at the other.
Eri in the middle.
First film.
Eri chose.
Obviously.
At nine-thirty...
Second film.
Eri was still wide awake.
"See?"
She looked at Izuku.
"Not tired."
Izuku nodded seriously.
"Very impressive."
Aizawa looked at her.
"Your eyes are half closed."
"No, they're not."
"They are."
"I'm blinking."
"For unusually long periods."
At ten-forty...
Eri yawned.
Then immediately covered her mouth.
Izuku pretended not to notice.
Aizawa did too.
At eleven-twelve...
Eri was leaning against Izuku.
Sunny tucked beneath one arm.
Her eyes struggled to stay open.
"Deku?"
Izuku looked down.
"Yeah?"
"What time is it?"
"Eleven-twelve."
She frowned.
"That's not midnight."
"Nope."
"I can make it."
"Of course."
Aizawa looked over.
Izuku shook his head slightly.
Don't ruin it.
Aizawa rolled his eyes.
At eleven-twenty-seven...
Eri's eyes closed.
Opened.
Closed.
Opened.
She sat straighter.
"I'm awake."
Izuku smiled.
"Definitely."
At eleven-thirty-eight...
Her head dropped against his arm.
Stayed there.
Izuku looked down.
"Eri?"
Nothing.
He smiled.
Aizawa checked the clock.
"Twenty-two minutes short."
"Don't tell her."
"I absolutely will."
Izuku laughed quietly.
The film continued.
Low volume.
Eri slept.
Her fingers were curled loosely into
Izuku's sleeve.
He looked down at them.
Then at her.
Aizawa watched from the other end of the sofa.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
"She had fun."
Izuku looked over.
"Yeah."
Aizawa's gaze moved to the shopping bags.
The photo strip sticking out of Izuku's wallet.
The ridiculous rabbit.
The little black cat now sitting on the
shelf.
"She doesn't always ask for things."
Izuku's smile faded slightly.
"...I know."
"Even now."
Aizawa leaned back.
"Sometimes she'll want something and wait for someone to offer first."
Izuku looked down at Eri.
"She asked today."
"Good."
A pause.
"That's why you did it?"
Izuku thought.
"Not originally."
He smiled faintly.
"Originally I just thought it'd be fun."
"And you needed sleep."
"True."
"But..."
His eyes returned to Eri.
"Then she asked me if I'd get angry."
Aizawa went quiet.
Izuku swallowed.
"That's when I got it."
Shota nodded once.
He understood.
Of course he did.
Izuku looked around.
"She didn't actually ask for much."
Aizawa raised an eyebrow at the shopping bags.
Izuku laughed quietly.
"Okay."
"She asked for loads."
"But..."
He looked down at her again.
"Most of it was just..."
He thought.
"...Do this with me."
Aizawa's expression softened.
"Yeah."
Eri moved slightly.
Mumbled something.
Izuku looked down.
"What?"
Her eyes opened.
Barely.
"Deku?"
"I'm here."
"What time..."
"Eleven-forty-three."
Her face fell.
"I fell asleep."
"Only for a few minutes."
"I said I'd make midnight."
"You got close."
She frowned.
Then...
Her sleepy eyes found him.
"Deku?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I..."
A yawn interrupted her.
"...Have another Yes Day?"
Izuku smiled.
"Someday?"
She nodded.
"Someday."
He didn't need to think.
Didn't need rules.
Didn't need to check with anyone.
"Yes."
Eri smiled.
Her eyes closed again.
Within seconds...
She was asleep.
Aizawa looked at Izuku.
"You realise she'll remember that."
"I know."
"You're committed now."
"I know."
"Your funeral."
Izuku grinned.
"Worth it."
Shota stood.
Carefully lifted Eri.
She stirred.
Didn't wake.
Sunny remained trapped under one arm.
Aizawa carried both.
At the hallway...
He stopped.
Looked back.
"Midoriya."
"Yeah?"
Aizawa hesitated.
"Thanks."
Izuku smiled.
"Anytime."
Shota nodded.
Carried Eri towards her room.
Izuku started collecting cups.
Popcorn.
Blankets.
Then noticed something on the coffee table.
The photo booth strip.
Eri's copy.
She must have taken it out earlier.
Four pictures.
Bunny ears.
Cat ears.
Sunny.
And the last one...
Eri hugging him.
Both laughing.
Neither looking at the camera.
Izuku picked it up.
Smiled.
Then carefully placed it beside the
ceramic cat.
Where Eri would find it tomorrow.
From the hallway...
Aizawa appeared.
"You're leaving that there?"
"Yep."
"She'll probably put it on the fridge."
Izuku smiled.
"Good."
He grabbed his coat.
Aizawa walked him to the door.
Izuku stepped into the hallway.
Then paused.
"Make sure she knows she can ask."
Aizawa looked at him.
"Even when it isn't Yes Day."
Shota's expression softened.
"I do."
"I know."
Izuku smiled.
"Just..."
He glanced towards Eri's room.
"...Keep reminding her."
Aizawa nodded.
"We will."
Izuku headed home.
Behind him...
The apartment was quiet again.
Aizawa returned to the living room.
He started cleaning.
Stopped.
Looked at the shelf.
The little ceramic cat.
Curled up. Sleeping.
He picked it up.
Turned it over.
Smiled faintly.
Then put it back.
Right in the middle.
Tomorrow… There would be rules again. Bedtimes. Vegetables. Homework.
No ice cream before breakfast.
No spending three hours in an arcade.
No unlimited requests.
Because Eri was nine.
She needed rules.
She needed boundaries.
She needed adults to tell her no sometimes.
But she also needed something she'd gone far too long without.
The certainty that she was allowed to
ask.
That wanting wasn't selfish.
That asking wasn't dangerous.
That "no" didn't mean anger.
And that sometimes...
For no reason other than somebody loved her and wanted to see her smile...
The answer could simply be: Yes.