12

Chapter Text

Eri was quiet.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Izuku had seen plenty of shy children at Arcadia, and it usually lessened over time.

But Eri still tried to be as unnoticeable as possible after weeks. She moved as lightly as she could across the floor, and when encouraged to eat always ate just enough. It was like she was trying not to get on anyone's nerves. She spoke, only when spoken to, and even then it was so soft you had to strain to hear. She wasn't just shy but clearly traumatized. 

Honestly, Izuku wanted to go and punch that birdman again. Maybe break more than just his mask this time.

'Overhaul' had apparently been a big deal, a well-known villain with an organized crime group. His quirk let him manipulate any matter in contact with his hands. Such an amazing ability, completely wasted. The advancement of technology that was possible, not to mention the use in healing...

...which brings him to Izuku's fight with Overhaul. Those spikes would have definitely killed Eri, but if the man could fix her, then why would he care if she got hurt?

He still didn't exactly know what Eri had suffered, or even how long Overhaul had her for. Asking her was out of the question, given how she reacted just seeing the villain on the news, but he needed to know more-

"Dad?" 

Izuku looked up from his work, ignoring the new crack in his pencil. "Yeah?"

"You alright? You've been really glaring at that piece of paper." Akari asked.

"It's just some paperwork." 

Akari leaned over his shoulder. "Oh, this is about the birdman, right?" Izuku cracked a small smile at the nickname and nodded. "Forgot that you had to file an incident for these things."

"It's a hassle really, but it makes sense to log when you resolve incidents. But in this case, even though nobody was injured, the area was completely wrecked. Plus the fact that Overhaul's a major villain..." Izuku gestured towards his large stack of forms.

Akari winced in sympathy. "Need any help?"

"Thanks, but I think I just need a break; I'll go check on Eri."

Eri's eyes were wide as she sat on the floor, gazing straight up at the television screen. Akari's old sweater was just a little too big for her, hanging off the girl's shoulders.

Izuku stepped into the room, footsteps audible to not surprise her, and sat down next to the eleven-year-old.

Animated horses ran across the screen, lit up in bright purple and pink. They seemed magical as they dashed across grass plains, stars trailing in their wake.

On top of each of their heads was a single, glowing horn.

Eri stared in wonder, her hands gently cradling her own horn. It had grown back to its full length now, yellow branching off her forehead.

"They're like me..." Eri murmured. 

"Yeah. They're called unicorns," Izuku said softly.

"Uni...corns?"

Izuku hummed. "Pretty, aren't they?"

The girl bit her lip.

"Are...are the other unicorns cursed too?"

"Cursed?"

Eri gave him a small nod, silver hair falling on her sweater at the movement. "I'm...c-cursed. That's why he took me. I hurt people, and he can use that."

These were probably the most words she had ever spoken to him.

"Eri, were you 'cursed' around six years ago?" Izuku asked.

Her eyes gave him his response as they widened. "I hurt everything around me, everything I t-touch." Eri's lip trembled. "You asked me if there was anyone else to stay with? That's why. They're gone. " Her breaths came a little too fast, hands shaking. "T-That's why you should just leave me. You're all so nice but I'm evil and cursed and I'll hurt you all..."

Izuku could feel her quirk, glowing gold as it flowed from her body into the horn on her head in a mass of energy. Izuku's own mana poked at it curiously, the brilliant light responding in kind.

"You know, Eri, I believed in curses once."

Izuku watched the unicorns run bright and free as wide red eyes turned to him.

"Unlike everyone else, I didn't drift. Out of every human, I ended up being the only one left on Earth. One out of billions. With just a weekly checkup, I was left here, completely and utterly alone for so many years." A hint of old bitterness filled his voice. "What else could it be but a curse?"

"But it wasn't. I got everything I could ever want now- and more. So I don't believe in curses anymore. I believe in myself because it's what I do that matters in the end." 

"Your ability could be a terrible thing. It took so much from you the past six years. I don't even know what it does yet, but so much power can always become destructive." 

Izuku smiled. "But I can also feel how beautiful it is, how much that same energy wants to be free. You aren't like that man , you're so much better. If you try, it can be a blessing too."

Izuku wrapped his arms around Eri, slowly pulling her into a hug. She stilled but didn't tense up.

"So Eri, let go." Izuku finished, softly.

And Eri finally let herself cry, arms hugging Izuku back. He felt the sobs, tears finally releasing like a broken dam as Eri's quirk activated, the built-up energy from her horn releasing in a burst of golden light. Eri flinched in his arms, but Izuku held her closer, smiling wide.

"I'll be fine. Trust me."

And everything was bright, light surrounding Izuku's body and tickling his skin.

Izuku glanced down at the girl in his arms when he could see again, green eyes meeting red.

Eri was staring back at him, scanning him only to find nothing wrong. "Y-You're not hurt?" Eri asked, eyes full of hope.

"Nope! Are you?" Izuku asked.

Eri blinked. "No?"

Izuku grinned. "See? I even feel a little better than before, like my skin is tingling."

"Thank you, Eri."

They watched the unicorns together for hours, and when Izuku glanced over, Eri's lips had curved up the smallest bit.

That made it all worth it.

"Entrance exam?" Izuku asked.

Arcadia didn't have an entrance exam since gods attended it as their first school, usually staying throughout their academic careers. But for just a university, especially what was known as one of the top schools in the area, an exam made sense.

Nezu nodded. "The new school year is starting in just a few months. Usually, we hold a written test and a practical if they are applying to the Heroics or Support courses."

"Each examinee has drifted for a whole five years somewhere different." Midnight said. "Examinees could be far ahead of their competition, or behind after studying some other world's curriculum."

Nemuri Kayama, aka Midnight; the Modern Art History teacher. Did that mean she taught Modern Art and History, or some kind of combined course? 

"We still have our old study guides online, from the last exam." The talking block of cemen-Cementoss pointed out.

"My daughter is taking the exam, and the guides have been very helpful," Izuku said. 

Every head in the room turned to him in surprise.

"What?" 

"You have a twenty-year-old daughter? You look so young!" Midnight blurted, eyes wide.

Izuku blinked, taken aback. "Thanks?"

If only they knew.

"To answer your question, Midoriya-san, we won't be. My idea is to focus more this year on essay-based questions, to judge their mental ability and thought processes instead of specifically what each examinee knows." Nezu responded.

"That seems like a great idea to test the listeners! It is a little iffy for an English test though..." Present Mic said, his voice echoing throughout the meeting room.

Hizashi Yamada, aka Present Mic. Izuku liked the blonde, but he was a bit...loud.

"The history portion is going to have to be scrapped too." Midnight winced. "No way any of them practiced their Earth history while drifting."

"What about the practical exams?" Vlad King asked.

"The Support Exam doesn't really need any changes." Power Loader replied.

Izuku tried not to stare too much at the large, jawlike mask over the man's head. How did he even see through that thing?

"But the Heroics Exam definitely needs some," Nezu said.

"What's the current Heroics Exam?" Izuku asked.

Eraserhead huffed. "Robots. They come in three main varieties, and the stronger the robot the more villain points the examinees gain."

"But...what about people with abilities that affect living beings? Or really anything that doesn't cause physical damage? Do they get weapons?"

"No, they aren't allowed any items that aren't needed to use their quirks. It's irrational, really. There is a rescue points system, granted upon saving other examinees, but since it would defeat the purpose students don't know about it. The exam is completely biased in favor of physical quirks, and the Hero Commission has never let us change it."

Eraserhead's own quirk was useless on robots. Izuku could see why he was bitter about giving an exam like that.

Nezu clapped his paws, excited. "But this year is different! After the Drift, no one can stop us from overhauling the exam. After all, robots won't prepare them for monsters and magical villains."

"We should keep the rescue points, though." Vlad King said. "Saving people in danger should always be something we look for in an examinee."

Eraserhead nodded. "But what about the villain points?"

Izuku smiled at the underground hero as he pulled out a small communicator, shaped like a circle.

"I may have an idea for that, Eraserhead."

Eri looked at the full shelves around her in awe as they walked through the doors. 

"There's so much . What is this place?"

"It's a grocery store, Eri."

"Store...Oh, I've heard of those!"

"It's where we go to buy stuff to cook with." Izuku pulled out a shopping cart, watching her red eyes flickered around. "They have lots of good food and ingredients. Mom, do you want anything?" 

"We're just running low on rice. Didn't you say you were cooking tomorrow?" Mom asked.

Izuku hummed as they reached the meat section, putting some pork chops into the cart. "Yep. I'm making katsudon."

Mom stilled. 

"Katsu...don?" Eri repeated, curious.

Izuku grinned down at her. "My favorite food, it's delicious. You'll love it."

"You still love katsudon." Mom said softly.

"For as long as I can remember. I had the ingredients on...Arret, so I've always made katsudon once a month. I got that from you, right?"

Mom's emerald eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Yeah, you did."

"Izuku! What's this?" Eri asked, a small box in her hands. 

"They're noodles. Do you want to get them?"

Eri hesitated. "Can...can we?" 

Izuku nodded with a smile. "Of course we can, Eri." Eri's face lit up, running over to place the box in the cart.

Eri had never been able to get the things she wanted. The fact that she had gained the confidence to ask meant everything.

"You're a good parent, Izuku." Mom said.

"Thanks. I'm really proud of Akari-" 

"I meant Eri." Mom cut him off with a knowing smile.

Izuku blinked, confused.

"Eri's not my..." Izuku trailed off, fondly watching Eri zip around the store. Mom raised an eyebrow. 

Izuku sighed. "I took her in on a whim because she didn't have anyone, and there was no way I was letting people like Overhaul go near her again. Then I would find a kind, safe foster family..."

"But?"

"Her quirk. 'Rewind' is what I've been calling it. It's amazing what the quirk could do. But to humans, being rewound 30 years is a big deal. I'm probably one of the best people on Earth to teach her control, so I thought she should just stay with us for a while. But now, only a few weeks later, Eri's already becoming like a daughter to me. Is that...weird?"

"Yes." Mom answered nonchalantly, pulling some eggs off the shelf. 

"Wow. Thanks, Mom."

"Yet, that's exactly what makes you Izuku . The Izuku I knew cared so much for everyone, even when they didn't care nearly as much about him. I know you aren't the same person now, but there are still so many beautiful things that I can recognize in an instant." Mom glanced up at him. "Though you are a lot taller now. And that hair...are you sure you didn't dye it, sweetie?"

Izuku rolled his eyes, and she chuckled. 

"But if you really do feel that way Izuku, you should just ask her. I'm sure Eri would be deligh-"

"Inko?!" 

Mom whirled around to see a blonde woman, eyes widening. 

"Mitsuki?"

Mitsuki crashed into her with a powerful hug, which Mom happily returned once she got her breath back. 

"Inko, it's been such a long time! This 'drifting' thing came out of nowhere ." Mitsuki said. "Masaru was really confused too, and Katsuki didn't even go to the same place as us!" 

"It's been a very strange five years, hasn't it?"

The blonde nodded vehemently. "Crazy, really. I'm just glad to see you're okay Inko, as well as-" Mitsuki stilled, noticing Izuku and Eri next to her for the first time.

"Is that Izuku?"

"Hello-" Izuku greeted her. From how close she was with Mom, 'Mitsuki' was probably her given name. But even if Izuku wasn't close enough to use it, he didn't know her surname. "-Mitsuki-san."

"You look so much older. And taller too. What even ..."

Eri tugged at his shirt, and Izuku glanced down to meet her curious eyes. "This is Eri. She's eleven."

"Hi."

Mitsuki just stared at them for a minute.

"Why..why don't you three come over for dinner?" Mitsuki asked, voice a little shaky. "We can swap our stories then."

"That works for me." Mom said. "Izuku?"

"Yeah. I'll just need to call Aurora first." 

"Aurora?" 

"She's my wife."

"Your what? "

"You became a model?" Mom asked.

Mitsuki nodded, a proud grin on her face. "It was pretty weird at first. Utopia is so bright and future-y, so it took a while for us to adjust. But once we did, it was great. Right, Masaru?" The blonde elbowed her husband in the side.

"Yeah." Masaru Bakugou seemed like the complete opposite of his wife, overbearing confidence replaced with quiet thoughtfulness. "We were unexpectedly quite successful in the show business."

"Masaru already worked in the fashion industry, so with my quirk and looks, we were set!"

"What exactly is your quirk, Mitsuki-san?" Izuku asked. He watched Eri out of the corner of his eye as she ate, making sure the curry wasn't too spicy for her. 

"Just call me Mitsuki." The woman waved off the honorific. "My quirk lets my skin emit Glycerin, so my skin always stays youthful like this."

Mitsuki tilted her head, a bit of confusion in her eyes. "But wouldn't you already know that, Izuku? I remember you being a huge quirk nerd..."

"I-"

Izuku was cut off as a blonde boy walked down the stairs, red eyes sweeping over everyone without notice before he pulled out his chair and sat, piling Mitsuki's cooking into his mouth at a rapid pace. 

"Katsuki?"

The blonde glanced up, doing a double-take when he realized, in fact, that there were three other people at the table.

"Auntie Inko? And... Deku? "

Izuku blinked, realizing the boy was looking at him. "I'm Izuku, not Deku. Those do kinda sound similar, though, I can see why you got them mixed up after so long." 

The blonde stared, angry red eyes narrowing.

"Deku what the f-"

The world slowed to a familiar halt, Mitsuki's spoon frozen mid-bite.

Carefully, Izuku stepped around the table, covering the boy's mouth with a clean napkin.

"-mmph!"

Izuku frowned. "There's a child here, don't curse. Also, my name is Izuku."

Katsuki glared at him, and Izuku removed the napkin. "What child ? And how did you teleport here you-"

"That one." Izuku pointed at Eri. 

Eri waved shyly at the Bakugous, and Mitsuki cooed.

"Who's child is that, Deku?"

"Izuku." Izuku corrected.

"Deku." Katsuki insisted.

"Izuku."

"Deku!"

"Deku."

"Izuku-argh!"

Izuku smiled. "Thanks, Katsuki. As for the other thing, I was just about to explain that to Mitsuki-"

" Mitsuki?"  

"-before you interrupted. Now, may I finish?"

Katsuki huffed. "Fine. Let's hear your sh-mmph" He spat out the napkin. "That's disgusting ."

"Then stop cursing near Eri." Izuku scolded. "I drifted to a planet called Arret, it was pretty nice. Though instead of drifting for five years like you all, I was gone for over twenty-"

" What." Mitsuki and Katsuki said at the same time.

"-so I found my quirk and magic, trained a lot, got married, and had a daughter."

"You have a quirk?" Katsuki blurted.

"You're married?" Masaru asked, incredulously. 

"You have a daughter? " Mitsuki said, the loudest.

Izuku was sure those things were normal for humans. Maybe the Bakugous were just an over-the-top family?

"Yeah, my mutant quirk doesn't really change my appearance, so I didn't realize I had it until I started training. Yes, I'm married, and I have two daughters, the younger being Eri here."

Izuku smiled. "Actually, my oldest is around Katsuki's age," Give or take 260 years. "Next time, you should all meet her."

Masaru spoke up hesitantly, almost like he didn't want the answer. "Izuku...how old are you now, exactly?"

"...forty, why?"

Mitsuki choked.

Notes: