The Man Behind the Screen

Secrets Untold

MIDORIYA'S POV

"There really isn't anyone else that can take her? I'm not in a good position right now and don't have room for a girl. I specifically said I could only foster boys right now, and she's out of my age range." I'm always happy to get a foster child for a while, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get my emotions together. I've barely been handling Daiki.

"There are other foster parents, but you're the best fit. She's been abused so much by her biological parents that we think being around a hero like yourself is the only way she will feel safe."

I let out a heavy sigh. "She's going to end up staying on the couch. I don't have a spare room to foster right now, which is why I said no girls at the moment. I don't want to put her with Daiki."

"I think she'll be okay with that," he smiled. "As long as she has a safe place to stay, she'll be thrilled."

I held my hand out for the pack he was holding. He handed it to me with a smile before waving to his partner in the car. "Her name is Himari Kusoi. She's seven."

"Allergies?" I asked while opening the packet. It was a lot larger compared to some of the others I received while fostering other children.

He shook his head. "No allergies. She's on an antibiotic for an ear infection, but other than that, she isn't taking anything regularly."

His partner got out of the car before opening the back door. The small girl nervously got out before hiding behind him. "She's a good kid. She just has some trauma going on," the social worker in front of me said.

"Have you guys set up therapy appointments for her yet?" I asked him.

"Yes. Every Tuesday, when she gets out of school. We don't have an estimation of how long she's going to be here. She has no other living relatives, and we'll have to wait until her parent's criminal charges are settled before we can legally allow her to be adopted." I nodded my head. I knew the drill. This isn't the first time I've done this.

Luckily, they usually rush the case if a child is in the system. Hopefully, we'll know more within the next week or two. "Himari, this is Pro Hero, Deku," the social worker from the car said as they stopped in front of me. "You'll be staying with him for a little while."

Her wide blue eyes stared at me in awe. Most kids dream of meeting a hero. Although we're often out in the city, we tend to stick to the rooftops or less crowded areas. If fans were constantly surrounding us, our jobs would never get done.

I crouched down to her level and stuck my hand out. "Hi, Himari. My name is Izuku Midoriya."

"You'll keep me safe?" she asked quietly.

I nodded my head. "Of course I will." The hurt and heartbreak in her voice almost killed me. I never want to hear a child sound that broken.

She silently took my hand and walked closer to me. "Do you happen to have your quirk-canceling bracelet still?" The older social worker asked. "She can't control her quirk, so she may need one."

I shook my head. I never grabbed it from the house when I moved out. Fostering kids was the last thing on my mind at the time. "I can stop by and grab one before the end of the day."

"Himari, you're going to stay here with him for a little while. We'll be back to check on you in one week. Okay?"

She squeezed my hand tightly while nodding her head. "Does she have any personal belongings?"

They both shook their head. "Read her file. When you stop by to pick up the bracelet, we'll have a check for you."

I shook my head. "I don't need it."