A few days before the school festival, I was in the living room of my dormitory building chilling on the couch in my lounge wear. "Hey Shimizu, there's a person outside asking for you." One of my classmates shouted out from the front entrance.
"Mm? Who could it be?" The way they said it made it seem like it was a stranger. There was no way a stranger could waltz on school grounds without getting detained. "Okay, I'm coming!" Getting up from my seat, I hastily made my way to the front door to see Togata and Eri smiling at me.
"Hi, Abe!"
"Hi, Shimizu!" Eri ran up to me and I quickly took her in my arms, placing her on my hips and swinging her around as she giggled. Eri looked better than ever from the last time I saw her at the hospital.
"Hello Eri! I'm surprised to see you today! You as well Togata." I turned my head to look at Togata and walked close to him. "How are you?" It's been a long time since I last saw Togata at the hospital after the rescue mission and arrest of Overhaul.
"I've been good!" Togata's energetic smile and vibe were still there after accepting the fact that he's going to be quirkless for a long time until Eri can control her power. "The principal made me see a therapist for the time being," He chuckled, scratching his neck.
"I'm glad to hear that. The principal made me see a therapist as well, and it was great. Togata, if you ever need anyone to talk to, just hit me up. I'll be here to listen!" Although I didn't know Togata well like an old friend, I knew that going through a traumatic event was hard to cope. He risked his life for me and Eri while losing his quirk in the process. If I could turn back time, I would've done so much more to protect Togata too.
"We stopped by since Eri missed you! We're heading to 1-A to see Midoriya and the other interns. Wanna come?" Togata informed me and I gladly came along, still hoisting Eri at my hips.
While we strolled there, Togata told me that Eri was going to attend the festival since the principal approved it, and she's here today so she can be comfortable around people for the main event. "If you don't mind, Togata, I'll steal her so I can hangout with her too! You and Midoriya aren't her only friends." With my free hand that wasn't holding her up, I gently moved away strands of hair from her face. I couldn't wait to spend time with her at the festival. "Your dress is so cute, Eri."
When we arrived there, it looked like the dancing team was out in the front yard. I recalled Todoroki telling me that most of the students were in the dance team. It seemed they hadn't noticed our presence from their intense dance moves. They looked so funny from afar because they weren't coordinated at all; half were solely focusing on one move and the other half were trying to get down the moves as they stumbled around.
"Wow… They're hectic but I know they'll be able to pull it off. I'll let you down for them to greet you, Eri." Setting her down on the ground, she shyly strapped herself onto my leg when eyes were upon us. Her soft cheek pressed against my thigh and she timidly greeted Midoriya.
"Hi, Deku." It surprised me that she called him by his hero name.
"Eri! Shimizu! Togata!" They all said in unison.
Then Togata started speaking to everyone while I focused my attention to Eri. "It's okay, Eri. They're nice people just like me, Togata, and Deku." I patted her head, then sliding my hand downwards to soothe her anxiety.
"Eri… From the work study incident! Hello, my name is Iida! A pleasure to meet you!" The way he remembered Eri as the work study incident sounded so off putting, like to me it sounded like an insult but I know that's how they all know Eri.
Eri shifted behind me, uncomfortable from meeting new people. "Eri is very shy," I swiftly lifted her up in my arms as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. "It's alright. I'm right here, Eri." My hand stroked her head, swaying my body side to side.
"I was going to tour Eri around U.A., but it seems to me like she wants to stay with Abe." Togata snickered, seeing how Eri was clinging onto me. "Abe, I'll come back later to show her around U.A. I'm going to see what's going on! See you later!" Togata walked away with his hand waving in the air.
"I guess it's going to be me and you for a while, little Eri." I whispered in her ear and fixed her position from slipping out of my arms.
"Let's take a break! Tea time!" Mina announced and turned her attention to me. "Shimizu, come as well!"
"O-oh, are you sure? I don't want to be bothersome if you guys are tired!" Mina wasn't having any of my excuses that she forcefully took me inside their dorm.
Her hand was on my back guiding me. "Come on, Shimizu! I'm pretty sure Todoroki misses you!" My eyes widened from what she said. Me and Todoroki were keeping our relationship on the low. I know Todoroki was dense at times and maybe slipped it up whenever the girls saw us together. "What's up with your shocked face? Everyone knows that you two are dating. It's so obvious of how in love you two are! Ahhh, lovebirds!" Mina squealed, and finally we were inside.
"Shimizu?" Todoroki spotted me nearby and immediately approached me, but then stopped when he laid eyes on Eri in my arms. "She must be Eri that everyone's talking about." He pointed at Eri who shyly refused to look at anything.
"Yes, you finally get to meet her! Eri, this is Shoto my boyfriend." I turned around so Eri could see how Shoto looked.
"Hi…" Todoroki awkwardly greeted her. It wasn't a surprise that Todoroki didn't know how to act around children. Kids were gentle souls and so was he; I know they'll get along very well if it's not right now.
"Shimizu, here's some apple pie I made. One is for you and the other is for her." Sato handed one plate to me and the other to Todoroki since my hands were filled. "I hope this will make her not be shy anymore." It was sweet how considerate Sato was regarding Eri's presence in the dorm.
"Aw, thank you! I know Eri will appreciate how delicious the pie is," I smiled down at her timid look. "Shoto, let's go out in the backyard. It'll be easier for Eri to be comfortable that way." Even though I'd like to talk to everyone, I had Eri with me so I needed to prioritize her first.
Eri sat right next to me while Todoroki sat in front of me as we ate our apple pie. "It's so good...!" She quietly said right next to me. Her red eyes were beaming in delight and gobbled up her pie in a few big bites.
"I know right? Sato bakes desserts from cakes to pie." Then I shifted my direction to Todoroki who's been weirdly silent. Maybe it's because I haven't been giving him any attention. "How are you, Shoto?" Using my fork, I tear a small piece of pie and put it in my mouth as my tastebuds cry in joy. Sato really knew how to make a person happy through his baking.
"I've been good. It's been busy and stressful in the dorm because we are performing a concert and everyone has to be on point with their moves and music playing. So Eri's the one you were stuck with when you were captured?" His eyes flickered to Eri peacefully savoring the pie like candy.
A soft smile appeared on my lips as my eyes crinkled from the dark days. "Even if I didn't suffer that much, she did. She was so numb to everything around her, Shoto. The trauma and abuse she went through will never leave her. I was so determined to save her…" I spoke quietly enough so only Todoroki could hear it. "I know you'd do the same if you were in my position. You know what abuse is like, and it's hard to recover from it." His warm, large hand grabbed my hand on the table and squeezed it firmly.
"Don't force yourself to talk about it. I know it was tough, but all that matters is that Eri will experience life again."
"I know. I can't wait for her to feel happy, to smile with her heart's content, to learn what love is, and all that stuff! Wow, I sound like a mom but she feels like a little sibling for me." I saw Eri getting out of her seat and slowly walking towards a butterfly nectaring on a flower. I wondered if that's her first time seeing a butterfly or not.
Todoroki moved seats to be right next to me and I leaned my head on his shoulder as our hands intertwined. "You'd be a great mother, Shimizu." My ears started to get hot from his statement. Me a mom? As if. Todoroki was only saying that because I'm good with Eri, but if it's my own kids, I don't know how good I'll be to them.
"Ahaha…" I really didn't know how to reply back to that one. "I liked how fast you bolted when she got up." Like what Mina said, he really did miss me like I missed him. Because we could only see each other during training and lunch, we never had much time to be in physical contact. We would've hung out at 1-A's dorm but since the festival was taking place soon, he's been busy while I wasn't. My classmates have been preparing it without me. Their excuses were that they didn't want to strain me after the things I've been through.
"Do you want to see some water tricks?" I asked, and Todoroki nodded. "Come on, let's head to Eri." We quickly made our way to Eri who sat on the grass after the butterfly flew away.
We sat in a circle with Eri scooting closer to me in every second. "What kind of tricks are you going to show?" Todoroki watched me extract water out from the grass around us. I had a small water bubble in my hands and I hoped I wouldn't get yelled at for turning the grass dead.
"I can crystalize water. It would be better if we were in a pool or something so I could try water animals...but I doubt they'll let us go in just for that so it's okay." I shrugged, then proceeded to shape water into animals. "I'm not good at this, but it's fun to do! I get to practice with my crystallization skills." Eri's eyes widened in amazement at the figures I created in a blink of an eye. The animals weren't as detailed like an elementary kid drawing animals compared to a professional. "Eri, you know Shoto right here can also do it too! He has two quirks: ice and fire." Her head tilted in disbelief.
"Really?" She whispered, looking at me then to Todoroki who seemed unfazed when I called him out.
"Yes! Shoto, why don't you show her? I know she'll be blown away by it." I dropped the water back to where I took it from and turned my attention to Todoroki. His expression subtly changed from making himself think of tricks with his quirk.
"I can also create things with ice, but I'm not that good with it either. I need more practice too." Todoroki demonstrated his ice quirk and Eri's attention was absorbed, tracing his every move as her eyes grew bigger. "There's nothing much I can do with fire." Todoroki switched to his other side and showed her a small lit flame in the palm of his hand.
After some time with Eri, Midoriya came into the conversation. "Shimizu, sorry to interrupt but Togata is here." It was time for Eri to leave my nest and head back to Togata.
Togata marched out to us in his school uniform, "Hello, Eri, did you have fun with Abe and Todoroki?" Eri nodded and skipped over to Midoriya and Togata's side. He ruffled her hair with a big grin. "I'm glad to see you had fun. I'm going to have a little conversation with Abe then we can tour you around the school, okay?" Eri nodded her head again and Togata made his way towards me and Todoroki.
"What's up?" I wondered what Togata wanted to exchange words about.
"Oh nothing much. I just wanted to say that whenever Eri is with you, she tends to be more relaxed and smiles a bit. You make her very happy, Abe. I can't wait to see her smile with me one day…" Togata's attitude changed from being sentimental to departing ways. "Well, that's all I have to say! I should get going. I'll see you around!" He waved, leaving with Midoriya and Eri.
I let out a big sigh and dropped on my back to stare at the afternoon sky. "Now we can have our alone time," Todoroki did the same as he rolled closer to me.
Finally the school festival arrived and I was pumped to see Eri and 1-A perform. "Eri! Togata! Are you guys ready to see 1-A rock the stage?!" I squealed in excitement as I met up with them. We all walked to the auditorium room where everyone was waiting for the show to start. "Eri, aren't you excited? Their concert is the biggest talk in school!"
"I know they've been working hard, and I hope this performance will make Eri smile." Togata spoke loudly through the talkative crowd. It was uncomfortable of how close I was with everyone, to where I had to be pushed into Togata. "Can you see down there?" Comparing me next to Togata, I was a very short person and he was right.
"The view down here isn't as bad...but I'll be okay! I can kind of see through these windows." There were some people in front of me where I could get a glimpse of the performers. "Don't worry about me. Eri has an amazing view up on your shoulders."
Less than a few minutes the crowd was cheering as the curtains were opening. "Oh! It's starting!" I excitedly said, looking at Togata and Eri. My heart was racing from anticipation. It made me curious about what song they were going to sing, as in if it was a cover or a self composed song. The curtains revealed the dance and band groups, and I looked above me to spot Todoroki and his effects crew on the balcony.
"Let's do this, dammit!" Bakugou shouted aggressively, banging his drums as explosives were visibly shown and it signaled everyone to start their performance. Piano, drums, electric and bass guitars were detected in my ears. The beat of it sounded so in sync and magnificent, as well as the dancers on stage.
Glancing over to view Eri's expression, I could see her smile building up from this new light in her heart. She was going to burst out smiling when it was all over. This experience was the key to make her feel free. A lot of things were happening in the big room: Aoyama was a disco ball, the effects team were using their quirks to decorate the ceiling above us, and so much more. The level in this room was at a ten; Jiro's singing was the main star while everybody was bumping and cheering through this main event.
"Abe, Abe, look!" Togata's voice reached to my ears and I turned my head to see what he saw: Eri smiling from ear to ear as her hands were up in the air. My heart swelled from the beautiful sight. This performance cheered her up.
Once the performance was over, Eri kept on talking about it and we saw new life blossoming in her eyes. Her ruby eyes twinkled brightly like the starry night. It was great to see her lively and upbeat. I felt my nose stinging and eyes getting hot. "Gah, I'm going to cry…" Turning away, I patted my eyes and composed myself.
A big hand was placed on my shoulder, and I stared up to see Togata's face on the brink of tearing up as well. "So am I," It sounded like he heard me. We were really attached to Eri. "Let's go see Midoriya." The three of us found class 1-A at the side of the building cleaning up.
I parted ways with them when I noticed Todoroki at the back melting ice. "I'll see you later, Eri and Togata."
"Hey Shoto," I popped right next to him and there was a relaxed smile on his face. I wondered if it was because I'm there with him or melting ice was therapeutic. "The performance was amazing! Everyone worked so hard, and you guys did so well to entertain us all. Your ice job was cool. It made Eri smile, unshackling the chains that held her down for years." Remembering her ecstatic grin brought warmth throughout my chest. She'll turn out just fine with us around her.
"I'm glad to hear that. I know how much you and everyone cares about her. When I'm done, let's explore around. We haven't gotten much quality time together because of the preparation so let's make it worth our time now." I couldn't wait to spend time with him from playing booth games to eating delicious food.
"Sounds like a plan!"
Strolling with Todoroki, we ate ice cream cones in our hands after playing booth games. "This is the only time we're able to chill despite crimes and villains spiking up. I never told my mother about the things that have happened to me… I don't want her to stress because Japan is not in good shape right now. It can get worse in a few months." I contacted mother here and there to update her about my life while she messaged me about her romantic relationship with her colleague. "But she's doing great overseas. I wish her the best in life."
"On the topic of moms, I wrote a letter to her about you." Immediately when Todoroki told me that, I stopped breathing for a second. I haven't told my mother about him yet… But that meant I'll have to see her someday because he loves his mother. Thinking about meeting her scared me like what if she doesn't like me. His mother couldn't be as bad as Endeavor however, it's nerve wracking to meet someone's parents. "Don't worry," He squeezed my hand lightly. "She'll like you, I know it" Todoroki reassured me with a sweet smile.
"I hope so too." It'd make sense since I've met his siblings and Endeavor when we were just friends. "Did you tell Fuyumi and Natsuo?" We moved to an open bench instead of walking around.
"Yeah, I did. They both were happy. Fuyumi wants to see you again."
"I can't wait for it! It'll be nice to see them again," I wondered how they were doing. It's been months since I last saw them as well. I hope they were doing good. "I'll text my mother about you too since I didn't tell her yet. She'll maybe freak out because she's not there to witness my first love." I chuckled, thinking about how she'll harass me about Todoroki over the phone and demand to talk to him. She'll also lose her mind when she figures out that he's Endeavor's son too. I can imagine her asking how I scored over my league, and I'll tell her that it's because I'm in U.A.
"Wanna see what the others are up to?" Todoroki asked, finishing his ice cream.
"I don't mind,"
The day was filled with fun activities and enjoyment. I created a lot of memories with Todoroki and 1-A students.