Astray

Three

Eri returned to class and it had gone by like something had even happened. The rest of the school day only made Eri long to go home, and when it had ended, she was glad for it.

It was ridiculous how awful her first day had been so far. She hoped that after she finished her assignment with Todoroki, she could text Shigaraki or Toga and just go to sleep.

So when it became six o' clock, Eri entered the library, ready to get this over with. Todoroki was already there, waiting at a table with paper and pencils prepared.

"Hi," Eri said as she approached him.

Todoroki looked up at her. "Hi. Ready?"

"Mhm."

"Okay," Todoroki said while Eri took a seat across from him, "honestly, I can do most of this on my own. I'll just tell you what we need to say when we present our work tomorrow."

Eri shifted awkwardly. "Oh, are you sure? Is there no way I can help?" No, she didn't want to be here, but she would feel bad if she didn't assist somehow.

"I'm sure. In yesterday's training course, it went all wrong because some of our classmates were distracted, and others hadn't heard the instructions correctly. We failed to save the civilians because everyone wanted to do their own thing. For example, I had to keep telling Mineta to use his quirk on the rocky terrain, to keep the area safe, but he wanted to be the one to climb up to the civilians. We argued, and it wasted too much time."

"Hm. It sounds like everyone knew what they had to do. It seems more like you guys were bad at working together," Eri theorized.

A wrinkled formed between Todoroki's brows from thought. "That could true. We didn't communicate very well."

Eri perked up a bit from seeing that she was being helpful. "And to improve next time you do that course, you guys can negotiate something that makes you both happy while it being the most strategic plan with the civilians' safety in mind."

Todoroki took his pencil and scribbled her words down. "I like the way that sounds," he said. "I'll add in the extra details."

"Great."

"By the way, Eri," Todoroki mentioned, pausing his writing, "are you going to be a permanent member of this class?"

The horned-girl frowned at this question. "Um, well... I would think so. Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious, since it's easy to guess why you were sent to Recovery Girl's office."

Those few words instantly ruined Eri's mood again. "Oh."

"Are you striving to be the number one hero?" Todoroki asked.

Eri shrugged. "Are you?"

Todoroki hesitated before answering. "I am."

"Yeah. I guess I am, too."

Todoroki's neutral expression turned the slightest bit skeptical. "You don't seem certain. Are you considering replacing Recovery Girl?"

"Of course not," Eri huffed, absentmindedly twirling a piece of her hair. "Why would I accept that?"

"It's an honor."