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TWENTY-MINE.
I stare at it and pinch myself, hoping it's only an illusion—it's not.
"Hello!" A voice calls. It's coming from within the mist. The voice is Mei's. She sounds like a distant echo.
Denki is the first to walk closer to it. He's a few feet away when he replies to Hatsume, "Mei? This is so creepy. Give us a second to say goodbye!"
The portal speaks again, echoing throughout the room. Myah runs over and stands next to Denki.
"Sandy Cheeks kinnie?" Myah calls. She introduces herself to Mei and they have a little conversation.
I notice Izuku finishes signing the card and holds out the pen to me. After I take it, he smiles and walks into the living room with Raven.
Ejirou pats my shoulder and follows them. I put the pen down, refusing to sign the piece of paper.
Instead, I watch them as they all start saying their goodbyes. Denki tackles Mason onto the couch.
I can't recall ever seeing Mason cry, until now. As for the child stuck in a man's body; he too begins to cry rivers at the sight of tears streaming down his young best friend's face.
Opposite them, Ejirou and Myah are hugging. His cheek rests against the top of her head. She's crying into his chest; I can tell by the way her hands are gripping the back of his shirt.
Izuku and Raven are also expressing their feelings, but I avoid looking at them. I wish Y/n could be here.
I wish I could see her one last time—to tell her how much I love her.
I guess if I'm not able to have her, I'm glad someone like Devin can. I know he'll treat her right, but I wish it were me who could.
I wish I didn't have to wish. If things could just become a reality, all of my problems would be solved.
The stars have granted her wishes of meeting me, so why can't they do the same for me? I would risk everything of mine to grow old with her.
Myah is the next person Denki hugs. I smile at this because for once they aren't arguing with each other.
Denk's promises to look after Ejirou and she promises to be nicer to Mason—we all know that's a lie.
The blonde is the first to step into the portal, disappearing in an instant, as he's sucked back into our world.
Mason's smile fades.
I start to question if bringing them along was a good idea. They've gotten so close to these kids in so little time. I feel terrible about all of this.
Ejirou walks closer to the dark cloud, but Myah stops him before he can step in. She's wrapped herself tightly around his torso. "Don't go, Eji. Please don't leave me."
She looks up at him and he looks down at her, wiping away her tears. "Myah.." He smiles, shaking his head.
"I refuse this! You aren't leaving! Ejirou Kirishima, you're supposed to wait for me to turn eighteen! And we—we're supposed to have our happily ever after!"
"I'll be twenty-nine when you're eighteen." He laughs.
"I don't care! Age is nothing but a number. You'll be twenty-mine!"
When she refuses to let go, Ejirou shoots me a look. I sigh and enter the living room, getting closer to the portal with each step.
"Myah," I grab her hands and pull them off of Ejirou. She tries to reach for him but I hold her back.
This is messed up.
Ejirou's foot disappears into the mist first. Seeing this, Myah starts to cry. "Nonono! PLEASE! EJI, PLEASE! NO! PLEASE DON'T!" She claws at my arms to try and get out of them.
Ejirou looks at her one last time and then joins Denki on the other side.
That just leaves Izuku and I.
It's now that I consider not returning at all. If I refuse to step into the portal, can Mei close it and leave me here?
"I'm staying." I say.
They all look at me. Izuku questions the idea. Myah wipes her tears away, instantly agreeing with my decision.
I call into the mist and ask Mei if it's possible for me to stay. She says exactly what I knew she would—that she can close the portal, but it may not work and we might be forced back into the anime.
Then she explains that if I'm able to stay, the decision could be permanent. Along with losing my quirk, I won't be able to return to my world.
