Touya could hear a quiet cry.

Shouto's cry.

It sounded like he was right beside him.

But the ones beside him were his other siblings?

They were one at each side of him.

He was covering their ears.

They were crying.

Even though he couldn't hear their cries at all.

Touya woke up disoriented.

Fuyumi was asleep, hugging his bandaged arm.

Fuyumi-chan?

No, this girl's hair didn't have red in it.

Who was that then?

Eri.

Who?

Oh!

The fight.

He couldn't remember getting to the warehouse, but it wasn't unusual for him to forget the previous minutes when he got knocked out or fainted like this time.

You scared her.

"Shut up!"

His yell made the girl wake up with a startle. A second later, rapid heavy footsteps approached and he instinctively shot up.

"Welcome to the world of the living," the old man greeted when he came into view. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"More like a bad reality," Touya spat before he could catch himself.

The man snorted, a smirk making its way and settling onto his face.

Sure, laugh at my disgrace. Why won't you?

"Mister, get down. You need to rest," came Eri's voice.

Her big ruby eyes were filled with worry.

Just like Fuyumi-chan.

"Don't tell me what to do," Touya huffed before turning to the vigilante. "And you can go now. I can take care of myself."

"Not in that state. You should listen to the kid."

"I was worried. I thought…" Eri looked at him with overwhelmingly sad eyes. "I was worried you wouldn't wake up."

Touya felt the rage start burning. "How weak do you think I am?" he growled low.

"Watch your tone," the old man warned, earning a death glare from Touya.

"You are not weak," the kid spoke again. "I know you are very strong, but you were really hurt when Duster-san and Toga-chan brought you."

Touya decided he was not in the mood to argue and let himself down on the mattress, sitting next to Eri. He'll process that statement later.

"How long have I been out?"

"A couple days."

"It wasn't too long," he said looking at Eri, who met his eyes but said nothing. "Did anything get on the news?"

"Fight with quirk use, 4 people arrested, but you can bet they'll release them. Yakuza's influence, y'know."

Touya let out a long-suffering sigh. How were they so useless?

"Should have killed them."

"Nah, there are lines a vigilante shouldn't cross."

"But villains do."

There was a tense silence between the two men after that. So, Eri took it as her cue to speak.

"I know you said it wasn't my fault that you got hurt, but it was this time, right? He sent them after me and they hurt you."

She pressed her lips together, her mind kept telling her not to do it, but she had to. Now, Mister would be mad at her.

"No, Eri, it's not your fault." He pressed the heel of his palm on his eye, taking a big breath to keep himself under control. "That broker set me up, even though it was him who told me to stay away from those guys."

"I asked him to. You just keep running away."

Mister raised an eyebrow at that, "You were the 'client'?"

"That was the idea. I've been after them since the last time we talked. Did you get any intel?"

"No, they said their boss had an offer for me and threw a fit when I called him the shitty bastard he is."

The older man seemed amused by Mister's expressions of anger. However, Eri knew his rage was building up and it made her worry.

"Was the offer 'bout her?" Duster asked, and she felt her body shake.

"Don't know. The man wanted to tell me himself."

No, if he didn't even say what the offer was about then.

"No offer," Eri whispered.

"Yeah, it was probably an excuse to kill me."

The girl looked down. It had happened before, it had been the reason she was able to run away.

And all of it was because of her curse.

"I wish I didn't have my quirk. It only causes trouble."

Mister closed his eyes and sighed. She knew he didn't like it, but she really felt that way. No matter what anyone told her, she and her quirk did nothing but hurt people, like the young boss often said.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll go back, but please don't be mad. Don't hurt people because of me, please, she begged him in her mind.

"Well, that's too bad," Mister said with a frown on his face. "No one gets to pick."

"Sounds like you don't want your quirk either."

"You don't know a thing about me," he growled, hitting the ground beside him.

Eri was on his other side, but the aggression made her tense up and hug his arm. Mister gave her a confused look, anger still lurking behind it.

"Eri, come over," she was called by the other man.

She looked at his main caretaker, who looked away and then nodded for her to go. She did, hesitantly.

Duster turned back to the pieces on the table he was working at. He had been trying to fix Mister's phone all day, but she couldn't tell how long it would take for him to finish. She wondered if it would make Mister happy, he was always so grumpy.

"Oi, Duster-san," the fire user mocked. "When will you leave?"

"When you stop being so stubborn and reckless," the addressed replied without looking away from his work.

"You are following me to hell then."

The old man gave a hearty laugh. There was Mister's creepy humor again.

"You sound like my daughter."

Mister smiled, but somehow all that smile expressed was anger, "Then you are a shitty father."

Eri gasped and then pouted.

"That's mean, Mister."

He rolled his eyes at her. Duster had a sad look now, but, when he caught her stare, he smiled kindly and petted her hair.

"I was. We get along better now."

"Like that's something that happens," the younger vigilante huffed. "Either you weren't that bad or you are still as shitty."

"Talking from experience, boy?"

Duster's voice was serious, telling him not to try avoiding the question.

There was a pause, but the hurt and hatred burning in the blue of his eyes conveyed the answer to Eri better than any word.

"Yes," he admitted, his teeth clenched hard.

"Well, I'm not your old man, so don't—"

"I know! Okay?"

He took a hand to his snow-white hair and started tugging at it. Eri didn't like that. She wanted to rush over and stop him, but she couldn't move.

"It doesn't even make sense, my problem with you is just the opposite!"

"And that's?"

"Leave me alone!"

Eri didn't understand. If he wanted to be left alone, why did he keep her? Was he expecting her to leave and she missed the signs? But, he would have told her directly, wouldn't he?

She looked at Duster for clues, but all she saw was an understanding smile.

"Dabi—" he started.

"No, don't wanna hear it. Just leave, now!"

"Okay, I'll give you some time," Duster conceded, "but I'll be back soon. Stay here."

Mister laid down as he covered his eyes with his arms, but his exasperated exhale showed enough emotion for the rest of his body. Eri stayed put, unsure of what to do.

Some minutes after Duster left, Mister looked at her, the light in his eyes dimmed with sadness. Eri took it as an invitation to come over.

"Are you okay?"

The man hummed an affirmation and then wiped away the blood that had somehow got on his face under the scars of his eyes before lowering his arms. His left arm's bandage had blood stains now on the forearm. She was about to ask about it when he spoke.

"You are a good kid, Eri."

The child seemed surprised by the statement. All he was trying to say was that it wasn't her fault that he reacted like that earlier nor anything else she blamed herself for; but, the way she kept staring at him as if she didn't believe it… even when her eyes started to fill with tears...

Was she considered the 'bad kid' too? Was that what the cuts were? They were, weren't they? A wicked punishment from a sick excuse of a father.

Snap out of it! You know where those thoughts lead you.

"We need to leave," he muttered, massaging his temples.

"But Duster-san said to stay."

"That's why we need to leave."

"But he's helping us," she argued with a pout. "Duster-san's not 'shitty' like Mister's dad, he's kind like Mister and Toga-chan."

Touya arched an eyebrow. Took her look long enough to pick up his bad words!

But, anyways, he knew the child was right. The rational part of his mind told him it was better to stay, at least until he was recovered. The emotional part, though…

"How come you call him 'Duster-san'?" he asked, shaking his head to clear it from thought.

"His full name is too hard. He gave me permission."

" 'Grandpa Knuckles' fits him better."

"That's hard too! And he's not my grandpa."

Weirdly enough, she seemed sad at the last part. He recognized the look of being lost in past times, so he brought her back to the present with another question.

"Who is this 'Toga-chan' you keep mentioning?"

Eri's eyes lit up. His heart always hurt when he saw that happen, a sharp pain like a needle. Just a reminder that he still had a heart.

"She was with Duster-san when he brought you, but it didn't seem like they knew each other. She had your hoodie and she was pretty. She had cat eyes! Duster-san thought you knew each other because you have a soft spot for little kids and Toga-chan…"

It seemed like it was going to be a full retelling. It was endearing how—

Wait, what?

"I have a what now?"

"I don't know what 'soft spot' is," Eri said with a pensive face.

"I do, but I don't have that."

Just ask little Shouto.

It would never stop, would it? As if he didn't already know the answer.

"But, anyways, you wouldn't have it for Toga-chan because she said she was about to graduate from middle school."

"Any idea what she was even doing there?"

"She said she saw you were hurt and wanted to help you so you could be friends."

"Nah, I don't need those."

"Friends?"

"Yeah."

"Aren't we friends?"

"No," the corners of Touya's mouth rose in anticipation, "you are my little partner in crime."

"But we don't do crime."

He enjoyed the confusion in the girl's face. He was going to let her keep her innocence for a bit longer.

Whatever is left of it anyway…

"It's an expression. Means we are a team," he explained.

"And Duster-san and Toga-chan?"

"I don't like him and I don't know her."

"But Duster-san said you are just in your 'I hate everyone' phase."

You've got to be kidding me!

"I'm not a freaking teenager! It's not a phase, I DO hate everyone. End of sentence."

"Everyone?" she putted, making Touya realize he had made a mistake.

"Not you Eri, you are the exception to all that 'mean stuff' I say."

"Is that what 'soft spot' means?"

"Ahhh!"

Outsmarted by a… few-years-old kid, who didn't even know what she did. How did he fall so low? Eri was making a puzzled and slightly concerned face at his outburst. It was kinda funny.

"Okay. If you don't tell anyone about it, we can stay," he joked.

The kid's eyes grew big and then she covered her mouth with her hands before nodding with a firm look. He snorted at it.

However, it was obviously not the true reason why he agreed. He knew she wasn't safe with him, he was borderline crazy and getting worse every day, so it'll be good to have someone else to look over her whenever his past got the best of him.

"... Little Eri's kidnapper, who has been given the alias 'Soen' by the police, was the instigator of the alley fight that happened last weekend," announced the radio news report.

Touya huffed, "I guess I have one more name now."

"The Shie Hassaikai really wants to catch you themselves if they didn't give them your name," Duster commented before taking a swig from his beer.

It isn't like they know the actual one.

A smirk curled in his lips.

'Todoroki Touya' had been left to burn on that mountain and rot in his hell of a house. He will bring it back, though, at its due time, and everyone that once knew it would regret it.

While he fantasized about his revenge, the man on the radio kept talking about how the other participants in the fight were now back on the streets after declaring that they saw him with the kid and tried to help her, but he attacked them.

Utter bullshit, as expected.

"Since their quirk-usage was in self-defense no charges will…"

"Go listen to that somewhere else. I've heard enough," Touya grumbled, shifting his gaze to the ceiling as if that could get him away from the gadget's nonsense.

The old man turned the radio off and continued working on Touya's broken phone. Personally, Touya thought it was a useless effort, but whatever.

He eyed Eri, who was peacefully sleeping beside him. She had been less of a worrywart the more she saw his wounds really did nothing to him. The vigilante had caught up quickly on his inability to feel pain, giving him a pitiful look that got on his nerves every time he remembered it.

That angered him too: the old man was too perceptive.

Sounds like you don't want your quirk either.

His voice seemed to mock him in his mind, even if he had missed the mark, because his quirk was the only part of him that wasn't weak. He didn't long for an ice quirk his body could withstand, he wished his body was made for fire.

"Hey, Dabi," the old man called. "I don't think I can fix this without the tools at home."

"So what? Just let it be."

"Nah, I doubt you can replace it," the vigilante replied as he turned to look at him. "So, how about this? Since you need to move anyway, why don't you stay at my house?"

Touya was taken aback by the proposition. He would be delighted to have a house that was an actual house, but he didn't like depending so much on Duster. That was just giving the other man something else to hold against him to get his way.

However, Eri did need a proper place to live and leaving her at Duster's would mean less risk of someone attacking or stealing her while he was away.

"Fine," he agreed. "Just don't think it's permanent, I'll leave when I want to."

"Sure."

There was something about his tone that made Touya feel like he was being tricked, yet he couldn't figure out how. He turned his face to him and the smile on his face only confirmed his suspicions.

"I think you and my daughter will get along."

Oh! There it is.

"Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

The man denied it with a laugh. What was with this guy making fun of him? It was a reasonable question considering how his parents ended up married!

"But, hey, maybe she can introduce you to someone."

"Nah, I'm not interested in those things."

He didn't have time for that stuff, it was already a distraction having to watch over the kid. Seriously, the world had to stop throwing children at him and expecting him to be their caretaker. It was a miracle all of them were still alive.

Besides, love, marriage and all that meant having a future. He didn't want a future, all he wanted was revenge.

I can't wait to see Dad's face!

Whatever he used to feel for his family burned away in his father's flames. The kid won't bring it back, no one could, it died with his old self. His mind and heart were too broken to fix and he wasn't ashamed to admit it.

However, for his plan to work, he needed to keep it a secret until the masterpiece was about to fulfill its purpose. His father's little puppet should still be in middle school, so it'll take a long time. If only he could find a quicker way! But no other was as satisfying as the one he had settled on.

"You should catch some sleep, we'll be leaving tomorrow," the vigilante announced as he plopped down on the couch.

He huffed, "I haven't slept since I woke up after the fight. What makes you think I'm gonna do it now?"

"Is something bothering you?"

Touya frowned. Yes, this man's presence made him keep his guard up more than usual, which meant more staying up and more ruminating thoughts. However, he wasn't going to admit it to him; he had already said more than he intended during his little meltdown.

"None of your business."

"Well, tell me when it's my business."

Touya sighed. Why couldn't he just let him be? He regretted seeking him. He's always done good on his own, what was he thinking?

That you, Todoroki 'Failure' Touya, are up against the number 2 hero. That's what you were thinking.

Here we go again then. It was gonna be a long night once more.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he heard Eri sniffing. He turned on the spot to face her as he called her name in a whisper.

"Sorry, I had a… bad memory."

He pitied the girl, really, but this was a good chance to turn off the voice in his head for a while.

"Wanna talk about it? It used to make me feel better."

She hesitated.

"It doesn't anymore?"

"I don't have who to tell anymore, but you do."

He sounded sad. She didn't see why he would want to hear sad things when he was already sad himself. Although, he was always sad, except when he was mad, so this time must be as good as any other if he wanted to hear.

She nodded slowly, "It was about when I got away. My caretaker helped me. He was friends with Grandpa."

That was why she couldn't call Duster 'Grandpa'. She didn't remember her family at all, but her caretaker, Tengu, said Grandpa was a good man. He said Grandpa was going to make the young boss stop what he was doing to her, but he hurt him and put him to sleep and no one knew when he would wake up or if he would.

"Overhaul did something to him?" Mister prompted.

Eri nodded. That's what her old caretaker called him too, but only when he couldn't hear him. She was told calling him by his title was a show of respect, so he didn't want to do it. Neither did she.

"Overhaul," she tested, "was taking me back to my room when Tengu-san came to us and asked what he was called for. Then, Overhaul attacked him, but he used his quirk to send me away and tell me to run."

That was the only time he had called him 'Overhaul' to his face. Then, a strong wind had carried her through the laberinthic corridors towards the exit. She remembered clearly hearing his voice in her head upon reaching it.

Eri, the legacy of our true boss, you must flee; for you shall one day return to reclaim your rightful place.

"Do you think…" she hesitated, but Mister gave her an encouraging hum. "Do you think we can get him out too?"

There was a pause that felt eternal. The darkness didn't let her see his face to know if he was even considering it. Eri knew he didn't like the people that had her, but Tengu was different.

"I'm sure he would help us. He would help Mister so he doesn't get hurt."

"If he is alive," Mister deadpanned. "But if that freak didn't have any mercy for you, I doubt he had it for him."

Her heart dropped and she felt the tears come back to her eyes.

She knew, deep down.

She knew if his caretaker hadn't gone after them it was because Overhaul had undone him.

"I'm sorry," she breathed, trying to quiet her crying.

"Who are you even apologizing to now?"

Mister sighed and it was the kind of sigh that meant he was annoyed.

"Crying won't change anything," he said as he slid a hand up and down her arm in a soothing gesture. "All you can do is make him pay."

But that won't bring anyone back! That will only make Overhaul hurt more people!

Eri shook her head and moved closer to be in his arms, where his warmth made her feel better.

She didn't want to lose this. She didn't want Mister to end up like her previous caretakers. She didn't want to not see Duster or Toga or the kitties ever again. She didn't want to go back to her old life of being cut and undone and repaired only to repeat the cycle.

She didn't want any of that.

Touya doesn't know how to comfort people, much less children...

Anyways, this is chapter 5 and they are about to move for the forth time. Remember what I said about where they live being a symbol? Well, they symbolize the bond between of Eri and Touya.

On that topic, they are not really talking about the phone, but only Duster knows.

Disclaimer: My Hero Academia and its characters are property of Kōhei Horikoshi and Studio Bones.