'Remember, this is on your terms, Toshi; don't force yourself to do anything you do want to.'

They'd arrived at the hospital half-an-hour earlier but despite having Mirio-senpai's support he'd struggled with the idea of seeing Eri.

'Hey, it's okay; why don't we just sit for a while, it's nice out, we should savour it before Winter comes.'

And so they had.

'Do you want me to go in with you or just on your own?'

'Own.'

'Okay, then I'll be back in twenty minutes, will you let her know for me?'

'Sure.'

Walking to the room had been easier than he'd expected but as soon as he rose a hand to knock he'd found it shaking.

Retracting it quickly he scrubbed a hand down his face, gripping at the strap of his backpack desperately. He was still dressed in his uniform as he and Mirio-senpai had come straight over after the school day had ended.

Leaning back against the wall the door clicked open and his eye widened.

The latch hadn't fully shut after her previous visitor.

The door swung open slightly and he heard a soft inhale from inside before a young, small voice spoke up.

"Mirio?"

Shit!

Panicking he felt that ever familiar muteness clawing at his throat once again.

What was he supposed to do now? She sounded so excited by Mirio visiting; he could only imagine how disappointed she would be to see him instead.

It was then that he came up with a plan.

Grabbing his backpack he pulled something out before clicking it on. Taking a breath he forced the words out he hoped he could get right.

"Oh hey Eri!"

Nailed it!

A gasp followed before a happy giggle.

"Mirio! Are, are you not coming in?"

Shit…

"I uh… I have to talk to Eraserhead so I can't come in right now but I will once I'm done, I promise."

"Ahhh, is Mr. Eraserhead there too? He's so cool and he and Mr. Mic showed me a bunch of pictures of their cats, they're so cute!"

Hitoshi smiled.

Now that was something he could talk about infinitely.

Feeling like such a coward he took a breath.

"Hey Eri, I need to go and take a call for ten minutes or so but Hitoshi's here too if you want to talk to him while you're waiting. It's okay if you don't, he won't mind-."

"Hitoshi!" She exclaimed.

His eye widened a little in the shock of the excitement in her voice.

Taking the mask off he shoved it back into his backpack before getting to his feet and entering the room where the young girl was kneeling on the bed with a curious expression.

"Hey."

She clambered down from the bed and rushed over before wrapping her arms around his legs in a hug.

He chuckled, leaning down to scoop her up into his arms, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's nice to finally see you again."

Eri nodded quickly before leaning in against him.

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"For coming to see me, it's really scary in here sometimes."

And if that didn't just rip his heart in two; it also made him feel like such a piece of shit for taking so long to come and see her.

"I heard Eraserhead say that you should be released from here soon, that's exciting, right?"

"Uh huh."

There was a light knock on the door; he turned to see Dad with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Eraserhead!"

"Hey Eri, Tosh."

He gave a nod.

"Speaking of getting out of here soon." The erasure hero walked closer to Eri. "Do you know how you've been doing really amazing and your horn has shrunk, well the doctor's think that it would be okay if you wanted to come and stay with us at UA. Now obviously, it's up to you so don't feel like you have to rush anything and-."

But Eri was clearly already sold, her eyes wide as her bottom lip wobbled.

"Can- can I please come home with you?"

Dad turned to him.

It was obvious that he was asking for permission.

"Hey Dad, if you and Hizashi adopt Eri, does that mean she'll be my little sister?" He smiled in performance.

Shouta smiled.

"I think it would, Toshi."

Eri gasped before a squeal followed and her little arms came to wrap around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Well isn't this sweet?" A familiar chuckle came from the doorway where Mirio-senpai was leaning against it.

"Mr. Eraserhead!" She reached out for Dad.

He transferred her over.

Mirio-senpai walked over, his hand coming to rest on his back as he carried a strange look on his face. Initially unsure, he got his answer a few seconds later. "I'm proud of you, Toshi."

A ruffle to his hair followed.

He smiled.

"And nice work on getting my voice right back there, you nailed it!"

His eye widened a little.

He saw me!

Awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck he smirked.

"Guess I wasn't that brave, huh?"

"Hey, don't put yourself down like that; I told you to do this at your own pace. It doesn't matter if you struggled a little in the beginning, you pushed forward and here you are. You gotta' take the wins wherever you can, Toshi, it doesn't matter how big they are, be proud of yourself for them anyway."

"Some sound advice." Dad agreed.

"Mr. Eraserhead?" Eri spoke up.

"You can call me, Shouta, sweetie."

"Okay… Shouta; is your house where the cats are?"

That certainly got a smile out of Dad.

"It sure is and I bet they'll love you."

"Really?!"

"Definitely." He nodded. "Deku and Kacchan are around a lot too so you'll be able to see them as well."

"Yay!"

Mirio-senpai took his town carrying Eri.

"Mirio, I'll be able to see you more too, right?"

"Of course you will, Eri, I'm gonna' be tour guide around UA; any and all questions should be directed my way."

She giggled.

"Okay!"

"I like your little dress too, you look very pretty."

"Thanks, one of the nurses bought me it."

Hitoshi furrowed an eyebrow at that.

"Look, I thought the outfit I bought was nice."

He could only imagine what his blind father had picked out but the fact that a nurse had taken pity on the poor girl and bought an entirely new one didn't paint a good picture.

He smirked.

"You have a pic?"

"Yeah, Zashi took one on my phone."

Hitoshi grabbed the device before flicking through his gallery, his eye widening as he and Mirio both burst out laughing at the green, yellow and pink cat monstrosity.

Dad shook his head.

"When you two are quite finish."

But he was smirking too.

"It was a good attempt." Mirio complimented.

"It's really not that bad." He answered honestly.

"Thank you." Shouta nodded. "Right, you ready, Eri?"

"Uh huh!"

"Then let's go."