The hustle and bustle of the rush hour commute had certainly made itself known. Toshinori was thankful that it seemed to have cleared leaving the carriage almost completely empty compared to the squished chaos it had previously been a few stops earlier.

"This is Hope Park, alight here for all trains to Tokyo."

The doors 'binged' as they opened.

"You got him?"

"Dude he's really not that heavy, just worry about getting on the train and chill."

Those voices seemed rather familiar.

His sentiment was confirmed as a few seconds later young Midoriya stepped aboard followed closely by young Bakugou with a sleeping Master Shinsou slumped against him in a piggyback.

"Oh, hey- uhh... Sir." The green-haired boy fumbled before chuckling and rubbing the back of his neck.

Bakugou carefully took a seat, shuffling his cousin to rest against him on the adjoined seat.

"Hello boys, it's nice to see you. Been up to anything fun?"

"We took Toshi to the Ghibli Museum." Young Midoriya answered.

"Yeah they're some of the first films he ever saw so they're special to him; Totoro is his favourite though." Young Bakugou added with a smile. "We surprised him with it 'cause he didn't know it even existed; you should have seen his face, he was so happy."

Toshinori smiled too.

"Well I'm glad to see you all had fun."

Young Bakugou smirked.

"Really, Deku?"

He looked down to see his student leaning against his shoulder peacefully asleep.

"It's been a long day."

The train doors closed.

"This is the Hero Line train to Musutafu."

The train shunted a little as they set off but it didn't disturb either of Young Bakugou's cousins.

"I take it you two were training this morning; Zuku seemed tired when we met up?"

"The next station is Kaijo City."

"Guilty as charged."

"Knew it."

"This is Kaijo City, alight here for Hero Agencies."

"Is Young Shinsou still training with his Father?"

The teen nodded.

"He's taking things slower though, Toshi's not been himself since, you know..."

"Unfortunately I do."

"The next station is Tatooin Station."

"That's why Uncle Zashi suggested to go to the museum, he wanted us to be able to just relax for a little bit and not have to worry about any of the shit that's been happening recently."

"I'm glad you were able to; you all certainly deserve some time to just be kids."

"This is Tatooin Station, alight here for city centre shopping and local bus services."

As the announcement arrived Young Bakugou once again began the dance of shuffling his cousin onto his back, incredibly making the whole thing look effortless.

"Could you nudge him for me?"

Toshinori smirked.

"Of course."

"The next station is Musutafu. The train will terminate here."

He tapped him gently on the shoulder.

"Wake up Young Midoriya."

The soft tone seemed to do the trick as the boy's eyes opened. He stirred for a few seconds before realisation seemed to kick in.

"Ahh, I'm sorry, Sir!"

He chuckled.

"Don't fret my boy, you did nothing wrong."

Young Midoriya turned to his cousin who was laughing his head off across the carriage.

The train pulled to a stop before the doors began to beep.

"This is Musutafu, alight here for UA High School and the Coast."

"Up we go." Young Bakugou voiced as he steadied himself with Master Shinsou on his back before leading the way off the carriage and onto the awaiting platform.

Young Midoriya quickly gathered his own backpack and those of his cousins before following.

"You sure you don't want me to take him for a while?"

"Nah, I got him."

Toshinori couldn't help but smile at the little family and the love they clearly had for one another.

"Did you get that text from Uncle Zashi?"

"No, what did he want?"

"He's cooking tonight and he wants us over."

"Oooh, sounds good to me." The explosion hero grinned.

"Here, allow me." Taking one of the backpacks from his student he slung it over his shoulder.

"Thanks, Sir."


Reaching the house Uncle Zashi opened the door with a chuckle as he caught sight of the tuckered out Hitoshi.

"Oh Toshinori, are you joining us?"

"Oh no, I was just helping with the load." The number one handed over the backpack. "See you in class boys."

"Bye!"

Kacchan walked inside and over to the living room before depositing his cousin down across the couch.

Zuku was next in dumping down the backpacks.

The two of them simultaneously collapsed onto the couch opposite Toshi with a deep exhale.

"I'm so tirrrrred." He moaned.

"Saaaaaaaaame." Zuku echoed.

Shouza smirked as he walked in.

"What are you two complaining about?"

"Well Kacchan was a Toshi pack mule." Uncle Zashi chuckled.

"Ahhh I see. Did you have fun?"

"It was AWESOME!" Zuku exclaimed. "Uncle Zashi we'll have to show you the photos, Kacchan got a great one of Toshi with Totoro in his little house thing at the entrance."

"Zuku bought a Jiji toy."

His cousin pulled out the black cat plush with admiration.

"He's so cute!"

The light sound of his cousin stirring followed.

"Ohh nowwwww wakes up." Kacchan smirked.

He watched as Toshi's eyes flickered open before he began to look around.

"What the hell?"

"Yeah, 'what the hell' exactly, I had to carry your ass from Tokyo."

Hitoshi burst out laughing.

"It's not funny!"

"Hey Tosh, you enjoy the museum?" Uncle Zashi asked.

He nodded animatedly.

"Look!"

Locating his backpack he quickly unzipped it before pulling out a big squishy Totoro plush. Hugging it to himself he smiled before walking over to Shouza and handing over the toy.

The erasure hero felt over the soft plush before smiling.

"He's very cute, Tosh."

"I know!"

Uncle Zashi looked at his watch.

"Well you three need to get washed, dinner won't be long."

"Okay."


Shouta turned to his husband and lifted the Totoro plush their son had entrusted to him in front of his face.

"Does this look as creepy as the face feels?"

Zashi burst out laughing.

"No he's pretty cute."

He pecked the animated character on the nose before aiming higher and doing the same against his husband's lips.

"Just like you."

The erasure hero scoffed.

"You're so sappy."

Zashi grinned, heading off for the kitchen.

"I know, it's part of my charm!"


The Next Day

"Hitoshi!"

Maybe if I just keep walking and pretend I didn't hear him he'll just leave?

"Hey wait up!"

Great...

Mirio-senpai ran over before a glowing smile appeared on his face.

"So."

"So?"

"I've been visiting Eri a bunch, she's real cute and likes sweet things. Anyway I'm getting off point; I was wondering if you'd visit with me too then she'll have someone else to talk to. The doctor's think it'll be great for her to meet a bunch of different people so she can begin to feel safe."

Eri.

Back at the raid he'd been so determined to save her due to their similarities in childhood but now, the thought of having to be reminded of the facility over and over through her was daunting.

He knew he was a coward, he wouldn't even deny it. He looked like an absolute piece of crap ignoring a six-year-old girl and no one hated him me for it than he did. It was selfish and he wasn't thinking of her and that was only making thing worse.

He knew he had to see her at some point, and that when she was eventually released from the hospital and more than likely brought to the UA campus he was going to see her often just out and about. He couldn't just pretend like she didn't exist because that would be unfair on Eri but what else was he supposed to do?

Just like you already said, stop being a fucking coward!

"Yo Hitoshi, you okay in there?"

His eyes widened.

Oh yeah, he was still talking to Mirio.

"Sorry."

"Hey, no need to apologise, you must have just had something on your mind, we all do it, me especially, I get distracted real easily." He smirked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Hitoshi smiled.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Being the best of all of us."

Mirio furrowed an eyebrow.

"You lost your quirk and yet you're here trying to make everyone feel better, smiling, and worrying over me; I don't deserve that concern."

"Well I don't know if I'd say that, if you're upset about something then that's as good a reason as anybody." Senpai slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. "You wanna' talk about it?"

Hitoshi went to shake his head but paused and eventually nodded.

"Okay, then take your time."

"I… I'm scared to see Eri."

"Why is that?"

"Because… because to me she kinda' represents where I came from, what I went through… I don't know, it sounds stupid 'cause she went through stuff I didn't, and she's really young, and I shouldn't project onto a kid, especially not an abused one, fuck… I know that sounds terrible, I'm sorry."

"Hey…" Mirio began softly. "It sounds like someone needs a hug, do you want one?"

He nodded.

Swiftly Hitoshi found himself bundled up against his senpai causing a smile to come to his face.

"Okay, so… I don't think it's terrible, if anything I actually totally get where you're coming from. I can't imagine how hard it must be considering everything you've already worked through since you came to live with Aizawa-sensei and Mic-sensei. Maybe the fact that you have so many similarities is the exact reason you should go and see her? I mean, don't you say that you were thankful to have uh, what's his name, Touya? Eri didn't have someone like that, so maybe your way or coping with it could be to focus on being that kind of figure to her?"

He's right.

"Mirio?"

"Yeah?" His senpai looked down from where he still stood with his arms wrapped around him.

"Don't let anyone ever tell you that you aren't a genius." He teased.

"Oh dude thanks, I'm actually gonna' tell Tamaki you said that." Mirio grinned. "Joking aside though, I was never gonna' make you go and see her on your own, I was always gonna' come with you. You don't have to rush anything, and I'm sorry if I made you feel pressured, I never meant to."

"No you should be pressuring me to, I mean; Eri's probably really lonely over there. I do want to be there for her, and being a hero means putting the needs of others first, I shouldn't be so hung up on my own feelings about it. I mean; Touya never put anyone first but me the entire time we were at the facility, he was selfless and brave and he was there for me through everything, and I owe him everything because of it, so yeah, I want to be there for Eri too."

"Woo! Then you just let me know when you wanna' go visit."

The bell began to ring.

"Well, you better get going so you're not late." Mirio released him from his bear hug and purposely messed his hair up as he did so.

"Hey!" Hitoshi smirked, lightly hitting his hand away.

His senpai chuckled before walking off with a wave.

"See you around!"


Thirty Minutes Later

Hitoshi could only stare at the situation in front of him.

"What the hell are we gonna' do?"

Kacchan was practically vibrating he was shaking that much in anger.

"I'm actually going to kill them..." His cousin growled through gritted teeth.

"This is your last warning, if you're not out here in the next five minutes you're all getting detention, I'm done messing around." Came Shouta's voice from outside.

"Dammit!" Kacchan punched the wall.


As they exited the changing room and headed into the gym the laughter started in seconds.

"Oh my god!"

"LOOK AT THEM!"

Hitoshi blushed as he wished he was anywhere else.

All Might was stood across the room and it was obvious that the teacher was trying his best not to giggle.

Shouta however didn't seem too keen on the fact that his training session was being delayed and disrupted further.

"Would someone like to tell me what all the laughter is about?"

"The damn girls stole our gym kits!"

He furrowed an eyebrow.

"They're wearing the cheerleading outfits Mineta and Kaminari tricked the girls into wearing at the Sports Festival." The number one supplied.

Shouta exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Where are our clothes you bastards?!"

"Ohhhh so when you guys get us to wear them it's sooooo funny but when we get our own back it's something you're allowed to be angry about?!"

"I don't care about me, I care that you did it to Toshi!"

His eyes widened, un-expecting of the concern.

That did stop some of them from laughing.

"Give them back their clothes." Shouta spoke up.

"That's not fair, they-." Mina retaliated.

"If you were upset with the actions of certain individuals back at the Sports Festival then you should have reported it then and there and we would have stepped in and dealt with the incident." He silenced. "Now, go get their clothes before I decide to give you all detention for the week."

The girls' grumbles followed before they trudged off out the gym towards their changing room.

His head was so loud and he knew he was shaking a little.

Softly a hand came to take his, pulling him from his thoughts.

Hitoshi smiled, holding on tight to the reassuring grip.

"Thanks."

Kacchan shook his head.

"No problem, I'm always here if you need me."

Hitoshi smiled.