Disclaimer: I don't own mha

Warning: Rated M for Mature themes

I apologize for the delay in posts to this fic. To be honest, I`m having some writers block. I wanna finish it but I`m not sure what direction to take it in for like the last quarter of the story. Moreover, whenever I write a story loosely based around canonical events such as this one, I usually go back to the source and rewatch it to ensure the depiction holds accurate elements in spite of my own envisioning of the events via the story. So yeah, I`ve been trudging through the first half of season four to help write it. Although I have no gripes about it, that is still objectively more work and effort required for just one fic and it does get a bit exhausting after some time.

So I`m probably going to take a short break from this story. To give you perspective on my idea of "short break" though. It`ll be three or four months. I don`t wanna burn myself out again and there are other fics I want to update/write about. I hope you guys can both understand and accept this. Anyways, heres the next chapter.


Eri sat in the back of the car where she looked out the window and stared on in curiosity.

"We`re almost there, Eri. You ready to see UA for the first time ever?"

She looked back at All Might who was driving her back to the campus, seemingly happier than usual but it was clear even to her that he was forcing a positive attitude.

"What`s it like there?" She curiously asked, deciding not to pry into his own suffering.

"It`s a wonderful place. You`ll meet lots of people there who you can forge bonds of kindness and love with."

"Kindness... and love?"

All Might nodded with a smile before changing lanes and taking a right turn.

"Yes. You do... want that right? I reckon it was presumptuous to assume you`d be ready to meet some new folks after just getting out of the hospital."

Eri shook her head no while offering a look of determination.

"No. I want to meet lots of people who are just like Deku and Lemillion. Heroes."

All Might chuckled at the sentiment, her passion bringing a semblance of happiness to him as they turned into the parking lot in the side of a McDonalds before turning back to him.

"I thought we could stop here and grab a bite to eat. Do you want anything?"

"Any...thing?"

The young girl tilted her head in confusion as she asked that.

"What do they have?" She followed up.

"You like apples right?"

"YES!"

All Might was stunned by her loud and energetic outburst and was even taken aback to see the burning desire in her gaze.

'I never knew someone could like apples THAT much.'

"What else do they have?"

"Burgers!"

"What are... burgers?"

All Might chuckled while pulling out of the parking spot and getting into the drive through line.

"There the most amazing meal in the world. Cook them at home or get it through a fast food joint. Either way, you can add whatever you want and have it customized to your specification with all kinds of toppings. Even better, you can add whatever sauce you so happen to desire."

"Toppings? Sauce?"

"That`s right, my dear. Barbeque, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch, Buffalo, Pesto, you can try them all."

Eri`s eyes lit up and she unbuckled her seat belt before climbing over the arm rest and sitting next to the man in the passenger seat.

"Is there an apple sauce?"

"Well... yeah, but you don`t normally put that kind of sauce on a burger. It`s meant to be enjoyed separately."

"Awww..."

The young girl looked dejected but soon meekly looked back at the man with a nervous expression.

"But... I can still try it right?"

"I mean, sure. You likely won`t enjoy the combination though, no matter how much of an apple fanatic you might be."

Eri`s nervousness faded in the following moment though as she looked forward and clenched her fists in determination.

"I`m gonna do it then. Let`s get a burger."

All Might chuckled as he turned forward and was about to pull up as the next customer finished their order.

"Before we do though. I`m not moving this car until you get in the back and put your seat belt on."

"Yes, sir."

Eri calmly climbed back and put her seatbelt back on before looking up at All Might unflinchingly and expectantly.

A good ten minutes later and All Might finally got their food while handing Eri her burger as he got onto the highway heading to UA.

The young girl opened her bag and pulled out the burger with a confused expression as she slowly took a bite out of it before pulling it away from her mouth and spitting it back into the bag.

"Nnrrhh... it tastes weird."

"You gotta peel the wrapper off of it then take a bite."

"Oh."

While looking at the now mildly damaged and greasy wrapper that was covered in teeth marks and saliva, Eri eventually found the flap and pulled it apart before releasing the patty and buns from their confines and taking a bite out of it.

All Might listened to her chewing while changing lanes to get past a semi as he waited for her reaction.

Eri said nothing though, she continued to silently take a few more bites out of the burger with a surprised look in her eyes.

After some time, it was clear she wasn`t going to say anything about the burger so the blonde went to speak up.

"It`s really good, All Might."

"Oh? That`s great to hear, Eri. We`re almost to UA, the festival preparations should already be underway as we speak."

Later on when the two had gotten to UA, Eri had finished her food and given the bag to All Might who went and tossed it in the trash before gesturing for her follow him.

"Woah..."

All Might looked over his shoulder in surprise as he saw an astounded look on the girl`s face.

"Is this really UA? It`s huge."

"Yep. And the school festival takes place just over yonder."

The girl looked over where she noticed a multitude of tents, stands, and stalls being lined up and set up along one of the pathways.

"Eri!"

Mirio suddenly came running up with a look of pure joy on his face as he stopped in front of her and All Might.

"Hello Young Togata. How goes the preparations for that special secret event we planned?"

"Wonderfully! Even knowing what it is, I think even you are going to be taken aback by the spectacularness of it."

All Might chuckled lightly while walking forward as Eri and Mirio followed close behind.

Many non hero course students gathered around and were checking out the many displays, events, and shops that were open just for the occasion.

"Isn`t it great Eri? Better yet, we have four whole days to enjoy this celebration. So let`s have as much fun as we can."

Eri looked at him while tilting her head in confusion.

"Fun? Can we really have it?"

"Of course! Why shouldn`t we? There`s no sense in always feeling down about everything."

As the three continued onward, All Might stopped with a mix of satisfaction and curiosity as he noticed many of the students from Class A and B hard at work and in some instances even helping each other out to finish the demanding touch ups on their respective shows.

"All Might! You finally made it!"

Mina and Ochaco greeted the former pro as Eri hid behind Mirio with a worried look on her face.

"How are you kids doing? I have to say I`m really impressed, you even managed to get the bounce house up already."

"Yeah! Come on! Let`s go to the dorms, we`ll show you how far everyone`s dancing skills have come along." Mina said with pride.

The blonde chuckled while raising his hand dismissively.

"Easy now, you can show me on the big day. I have faith in all of you to put up a show stopping performance."

The two girls looked at each other and giggled upon hearing this, as they did, Ochaco noticed Eri hiding behind the older boy and kneeled down with a small smile.

"You must be Eri. I`ve really been looking forward to meeting you."

Eri said nothing and instead only further took cover behind Mirio`s pant leg as her fear heightened.

"You don`t need to be shy, Eri. Ochaco is one of the heroes who worked as hard as she could to help you out."

"R-Really?"

Mirio nodded in further affirmation with his usual goofy smile across his face.

The young girl looked at the brunette carefully while shaking, in time she very slowly and reluctantly stepped out from behind Mirio while shakily looking up at her.

"H-Hel...lo... my-my... name... i-is... Eri..."

Fearfully, she pushed out her arm to extend a handshake while looking at her cautiously.

Ochaco felt her heart ache at the sight of her terrified posture and slowly leaned to her level while pushing her hand forward but never making physical contact.

"I`m Ochaco Uraraka. A friend of Deku`s."

Eri thought back to the green haired boy and felt her racing heart come to a halt as she calmed down while looking back at her hand.

She briefly thought of Overhaul and shivered in horror but as reality settled back in, she reluctantly grabbed her hand before shaking it.

Ochaco smiled while looking deeply into her meek gaze as she calmly took the time to try and ease the young girl into their meeting.

"Have you... seen Deku, anyway?" Eri suddenly asked, her eyes showing the intense desire to reunite with her hero.

"He`s still at the hospital. You`re looking great, Eri... but... there are still others that he worries about."

Eri looked down in sadness as she was reminded of the reality of their tragedy.

"The... horned girl. He`s visiting her, isn`t he?"

Ochaco solemnly nodded as she felt nearly heartbroken by the devastation that formed across the girl`s face.

"I wanted to thank her too. She did as much as Deku and Lemillion to help me."

"I understand... She`s doing better. At the rate of which things are going, we might have a chance of seeing her before the festival concludes."

"I hope so..."

Ochaco stood up while looking away with a glint of conflict in her gaze.

'Pony... did I... have the wrong impression of you? You`ve left such a big impact on this girl... more so than I ever could have hoped to. Deku has always been a hero. Braver than most in the hero course, I think... It`s unfathomable to me that you could`ve matched his tenacity and bravery.'

All Might noticed everyone starting to get bummed out again and jumped in with a panicked look on his face that he was quick to try and hide with debatable degrees of success.

"No need to worry about any of that. Young Tsunotori is still set to make a speedy recovery and Young Midoriya is set to join us later today. Why don`t we head to the dorms and grab a bite to eat?"

Eri looked at the man while tilting her head in confusion.

"But we just ate."

"Let`s eat again then! We`ll have a barbeque!"

The young girl narrowed her eyes in suspicion causing All Might`s sweat to drop as he had to do his best to remain calm under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Okay."

The former pro sighed in relief as she seemed to take the bait and they went on their way. All Might and Eri, accompanied by Tsuyu, Ochaco, Todoroki, Kirishima, Iida, Kendo, and Aizawa headed back to the Class A dorms to eat while many more continued festival preparations.

Later that day, it was still clear and beautiful outside as Aizawa sat against a wall in the shade with his computer in his lap, likely grading assignments for his students.

Meanwhile, the hero course students and Eri all sat at a fifteen foot long wooden table covered in a checkered table cloth with the appropriate plates and silverware all lined up as All Might stood at the grill while preparing some steak, hamburger, and hotdogs.

"More of our classmates will be joining later, I just texted everyone in the group chat and most of them sound down for it." Ochaco said while pocketing her phone.

Tsuyu looked over at Kendo and garnered her attention with a light shoulder tap.

"Anyone in Class B feel like joining?"

"Let me text everyone. I`m sure some of them would like to join us." The orange haired girl said with a calm and compassionate smile.

As they waited for the food to be done, Todoroki stepped out of the side door of the dorms with what seemed to be a couple arms full of snacks.

"I brought chips, salsa, and lettuce for us while we wait on the main course."

"Oh hell yeah! Bring those goodies over!" Kirishima yelled with determination and passion in his voice.

Todoroki set the bags of fritos, dorritos, and popcorn down in the center while letting the lettuce bowl rest on the side of them and putting the dip on the other side.

He then went on to sit next to Eri but paid her no mind as the red and white haired boy seemed to have his own thoughts to drown in.

While Class A prepared for some much needed down time and socialization, elsewhere at the hospital, Midoriya was sitting next to Pony with his hand clasped within her own until he finally felt a vibration in his pantleg and went to pull out his phone.

'So All Might made it back to UA with Eri?'

The green haired boy sighed in dejection.

"Guess I have to leave for now, Pony. I`m sorry, but I`ll come back soon. I promise."

He knew he should be happy about this. Eri was finally at UA. He`d finally have a chance to rend Overhaul`s hold over completely. And sure, he completely wanted to do so, but he couldn`t help but feel a great sense of unease at the thought of leaving his horned companion.

Knowing that he couldn`t dwell on tough choices forever though, Midoriya stood up and offered a somber and detached glare. Not fully thinking straight, he leaned down and kissed Pony on the forehead before taking his leave from the hospital.


And that`s the chapter. Hope it was alright.