A new life

ELEVEN

Dabi sighed and wrapped his arm around your shoulder. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yeah," you said. "Eri wants to see him. Even if he won't help me, It's wrong to keep her away from him while she can see him."

"You're so kind-hearted," Dabi cooed. "It's kind of annoying. What if he turns her against us?" He whispered.

"Eri loves us," you said. "It'll be fine."

"Whatever," Dabi said. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "I'll wait out here."

"Will I really get to see Deku?" Eri said.

"If he comes out, yeah," you said with a smile. "Ready to go?"

She nodded her head.

"Okay, let us in," you said.

"Yes ma'am." One of the cops opened the door for you two to walk inside.

Once you walked into the room, Deku walked out of another room.

"Deku!" Eri exclaimed. She ran towards him and hugged him.

"Eri," Deku said with a smile. He crouched down to her height.

"You can uncuff him," you said to one of the guards. "Then leave."

"I don't think that's a good idea, miss," he said.

"Please?" Eri said.

"Do it," you said, giving him a pointed look.

The guard unlocked his cuffs, then left behind the door Deku came out from.

"Come sit down!" Eri exclaimed. "Did you like the bento box? ___ and I made it with love!"

"It was very yummy, Eri," Deku said. They sat at the table with you. Eri sat next to you, and Deku sat across from her.

"How much time do we have?" Deku said.

"The people see me as Japan's saint," you said. "So, we can get as much time as we need."

Deku chuckled dryly. "It's kinda ironic? They destroyed the symbol of peace to create another symbol of hope."

"It is pretty ironic," you said. "I'm just glad you finally agreed to see me."

"Would you bring her, even if I don't help you?" Deku said.

"Of course," you said without missing a beat. "Eri is your family too, I assume. She cares about you, and I'd do anything to make her happy."

"Yeah!" Eri chirped. "_____ is so nice! So is Dabi. They take good care of me."

"Really?" Deku said.

Eri nodded. "Yeah! Dabi and I played princess defeats the dragon! ____ cooks and," Eri paused and whispered. "Sometimes they flirt."

"That sounds... good?" He said. "Really good, Eri. I'm kind of surprised that Dabi is," he paused. "A good person."

"Dabi is great," Eri said. "I love it with them!"

"That's great," Deku said with a smile.

"We brought you a snack," Eri said. "____'s famous strawberry shortcake!" Eri set the small bento box on the table. "I decorated it myself."

"You can eat it now," you said. "No one will stop ya."

"Thanks," Deku said. "So, what did you want from me anyway?"

"I told you before," you said. "But, you probably weren't listening. Uh," you paused. "I want all of the student heroes to be free. I was raised to believe that children should be treated with respect because they're our world's future." You reached out to grab his hand, then paused. "You and all of your friends are the world's next generation of doctors, leaders, and whatever else you wanna be. You deserve to be free."

"What's the catch?"

"Shigaraki is afraid there will be a revolt," you said honestly. "Honestly, I don't want there to be one either. The country is finally stable and happy. A new revolt would cause more chaos than the last one and more precious lives lost." You put your hands in your lap. "I want you to encourage the others to cooperate with me. I have a plan of rehabilitation."

Deku scrunched up his face.

"It's not what it sounds like!" You exclaimed. "I designed it to be a facility where all of you can get the help you need. Free education, trade schools, therapy, and whatever else. It'll just be like high school all over again, but with better resources to help you be productive in the working world."

"I can't believe you want me to side with villains," Deku said.

"They're not villains anymore," you said. "They're just," you paused. "normal people with a bad past, who control our government, and they're doing a good job now. I've been fighting to get all ex-heroes freed. I created plans for buildings, I budgeted, and everything. It's all ready to go in the works, but we need your support."

"Help us, Deku," Eri said. "Then, I can see you all the time! And maybe you won't look so sad anymore."

"I'm not sad, Eri," Deku said. "I just-" he sighed. "Why me?"

"All of the ex-heroes respect and love you," you said. "They adore and look up to you. I'm sure, if you supported me, they would too."

"Why don't you say something like "us" when you talk about this?"

"Honestly?" You said. "I see this as something separate from my work for Lord Tomura. I'm doing this to help you because I just want you to live a happy life."

Deku was silent.

"You were just kids when all of this happened. You should've never been put in danger, and now, I'm fighting tooth and nail to give you a chance at a normal life. I just need your support, so the others follow along."

"I'll think about it," Deku said.

You smiled. "Thanks. Do you want some alone time with Eri?"

"I think I'd like to get to know you as well," Deku said.

"Ah, there's nothing special about me," you said. "I'm just a maid who just so happened to give Lord Tomura advice on how to run a country."

"That sounds special," Deku said.

"____ is super kind," Eri said. "And smart and funny and nice and-" she paused and smiled. "Deku, I think ___ would make you really happy too."

"I'm glad you're happy, Eri," Deku said.

"Oh! Eri exclaimed. "Let me tell you how I defeated the smelly dragon, Dabi!"

"Smelly?" You said with a chuckle.

"You told Dabi he was smelly?" Deku said.

"And ugly," Eri said. "But, he was a dragon! He needed to be defeated!"