Mystery from Another World--MHA

Part 82: End of the Festival

Aizawa was taking Eri around the festival very carefully, with a few other staff members, including the new counselor (who vanished at some point saying something about Tensei Iida), when he heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, hi, Eraser!" It was Miss Joke.

"Joke? What are you doing here?" Aizawa sputtered.

"Miss Joke!" Eri said excitedly.

"Hi, cutie." Miss Joke made a smiley face at her. "Now before you ask, Eraser, no, I am not stalking you. I'm patrolling the area. Lot of people out, you know. Gotta keep things safe. Great excuse to go around sampling the festival foods." She held up some food on a stick. "I never thought I'd see you out here though."

"Eri wanted to go," Aizawa said. Eri tugged his arm, and he picked her up resolutely and put her on his shoulders, so she could see better.

"Aww, that's adorable," Miss Joke said, "Maybe they should start calling you Dadzawa now."

"Not funny," Aizawa said.

"I thought it was pretty funny," Emi said.

"That's funny," Eri approved, "It sounds funny. Dad-za-wa..."

Okay, it sounded cute when she said it... Aizawa fought the urge to grin benevolently and basically make it acceptable.

"Well, nice seeing you and all. Good luck." He tried to make an exit.

"Isn't Miss Joke going to come with us?" Eri said, distressed, "She's all by herself, isn't she? She's not without friends, right?"

"Very considerate, Eri...but I am technically patrolling," Emi said. Not that Eri knew what that was.

"Patrolling?"

"Yes, making sure nothing dangerous is going on."

"Dangerous?" Eri said.

Aizawa shot Emi a warning look.

"Oh, you know, like some idiot setting off fireworks in the street," Emi said hastily, "That kind of thing. But why don't you patrol with me? I can show you where to get the best food."

"Okay," Eri agreed before Aizawa could make up an excuse not to. He rolled his eyes. "Fine."

"And you are as putty in her hands." Emi smiled slyly at him. "I see this is the most important girl in your life, Eraser. Not to worry, your secret is safe with me."

Like heck it was! He fumed.

Actually things were still awkward with Miss Joke after their previous meeting. He'd done his best not to think of it a lot, but he couldn't see Nezu the same way. He hadn't come to the festival. He didn't usually though.

But it wasn't as bad as he thought once they were actually moving and talking. Miss Joke didn't bring up UA at all and seemed anxious to keep the mood light.

Eri seemed to like her... 'Course she bribed her with candy before. Cheat.

Aizawa was not good with kids, he thought.

Eri wanted to stop and try to catch a fish, so they did.

"This takes me back to my high school days... I really feel like I was less busy back then. Hero schools have changed," Miss Joke commented, but then she changed the subject quickly. "So, anything else fun planned? Fireworks, maybe?"

"Probably, but it's getting close to Eri's bedtime," Aizawa said.

"But I want to see the fireworks," Eri said.