"How is therapy been for you?"

"It's okay, definitely helping me a bit with my anxiety and the different ways to cope with the stress other than my skin."

"That's good. I know you don't like the medication. The doctor said it's only temporary for now until they find a good coping mechanism for you, slowly changing things in your life can help a lot."

"When I get out, can I meet Takami? You talk about them a lot when it comes to your work."

"Of course, I'm sure he'd love having someone around his age."

Pregnant silence brewed in the room for minutes, Tenko slowly spoke out. "I don't want to go into foster care."

"You're a child with no family members. The government will take care of you, for now, so will your future family."

"I don't want just anyone to be my family, what if they want me for my Quirk? What if they don't know and I accidentally use it, they might hate me for it. How can you be so sure I won't end up with someone like my father?"

"Tenko relax, breathe in and out, nice and deep. Remember how the therapist taught you? Don't fall into the urge to pick your skin. Focus on my voice."

After many deeps breaths, the child relaxed. He looked at the bedsheets rubbing his hands against the fabric.

"Do I have a disorder? I just thought they were flare-ups or the cause of my Quirk."

"The psychologist said you had a tendency to pick at your skin when you were stressed and overwhelmed. It's one of the effects from the way your father treated you, a sorta coping mechanism but not the good kind."

"What did he call it? BFRB?"

"Body-Focused Repetivetie Disorder or Excortiating Disorder."

"Yeah, that. Well, I got this cream to put on the scars I already have, will it help?"

"They might not fully disappear, you might have a few still and some light scarring, but it will help you a lot."

He nodded and looked at the bedsheets once more. Biting his lips as he stirred in many thoughts in his head majority weren't that positive. His eyes suddenly widened at an idea he snapped his neck towards Shigeo, a small smile on his lips. The older looked at the child with an expression of confusion from the boy's sudden reaction.

"What if you adopted me instead?"

Shigeo slowly processed the words before a small fit of laughter escaped his lips, "You really can't be serious about that. Right?"

"I am serious, why not just adopt me?"

"I'm still in college, not married. I don't have an apartment for you to stay in since I live in the dorms. Plus, even if I did, who knows if they would allow me nor considering how long this would take."

"You're not saying no, just giving out excuses."

"Then explain to me why I should. Why even me in the first place?"

"Easy, out of all the people in the street, you saved me. You could have left it at that and go on, but you waited and visited me while unconscious. Your words and actions mean a lot to me. I don't think anyone can live up to what you've done for me."

A heavy sigh left the older male's lips as he brushed his hair back, and looked at Tenko, a weak smile on his lips. "You look up to me that much over something minimal like that?" The boy nodded with haste. Shigeo smiles and stood up, moving closer to him and petting his head, "Just... Let me think about it, okay?" The child smiled brightly and hugged the male by his waist. The two stayed like that for a while before ringing broke the silence of the room. Shigeo lifted his arm and checked the time and hummed, "I should get going now, I have to pick up Takami from the train station. I'll ask him if he wishes to meet you and bring him once you're better."

He departed after giving his goodbyes to the boy, he grumbled to himself in contemplation of what he had said. He was hesitant about the idea, yet he didn't want to disagree. He shakes his head, pushing the thoughts back for the moment as he stood by the train station, waiting for the blond boy. The place filled with people passing through before he knew it, he was tackled and stumbled forward as he turned to see Keigo laughing and giving him a bright smile.

"Did yah miss this birdie?!"

"Of course I did, who would I feed then to be cannibalistic to its species?"

"How dare you? I'm not a bird!"

"Says the one who's obsessed with chicken and just called himself a bird."

The younger boy huffed and pulled away, his cheeks puffing out. Shigeo only laughed and picked the boy up with ease as he slings the duffle bag to hang on his shoulder. Walking out and heading to the HPSC build.

"So, how was the training camp like?"

"Hard like always, but it wasn't too bad. I got to brag about you to some of the other kids."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yup! But I didn't see this one senior. We're close, but it was odd since he wasn't there. He said his dad made him go there to better his Quirk."

"I can look for him later on and go check on him if you want. Oh right, I meet someone new. I talked about you a couple of times. They want to meet you if you're fine with it."

"How old are they?"

"Ten years old, they're at the hospital at the moment."

"Okay, we can go see them later on."

"Alright, I'll be sure to tell them, they'll probably be ecstatic to meet you."

"They should be because I'm nothing more than amazing!"

"...Sure"

"Why did you hesitate?!"

The two continued chatting away as they reached the building. Mera stood by the door waiting, Shigeo placed Keigo down and handed him his bag, they said they goodbyes. He walked back into his dorm room and sighed with exaggeration as he stared up at the ceiling, running his hand down his face. "Why do I keep finding myself in tough situations?" he mumbled to himself and closed his eyes, falling asleep on the seat. The day's tiredness overcame him. A single thought passed over his mind. 'How would Keigo react if I adopted Tenko?'

Sorry for the updates notifs some people may have received, a small error on my part so double update for yall