The Man Behind the Screen

Beginning of the End

MIDORIYA'S POV

"Thanks for watching them after school for a little while." I finally got the chance to sit down and talk with Himari's case worker about her parent's criminal charges. Right now, they're facing six to ten years in prison for what they did to her and several other charges they were wanted for.

"No problem," Kacchan smiled. "How did it go?"

I shook my head and kicked my shoes off. "Where are the kids?" Usually, they both come running to the door when I get home. It's odd that I don't see either of them.

"They're outside, playing with Cotton. I just checked on them less than two minutes ago." I walked to the back door and peered through the glass. They were happily running around, letting Cotton chase them.

I walked back into the living room and plopped down next to Kacchan before laying my legs across his lap. When he set his hands on my legs, I smiled. We've been together less than a week, but we're doing great so far. We haven't done much as a couple, but this is enough for now.

He squeezed my leg gently. "So, how did it go?"

"They said her parents were facing serious jail time. She's going to bounce around the foster system until she's thirteen. After that, she'll be placed in a group home when she turns thirteen. By the time her parents can get her back, she'll be at least fourteen or fifteen, so there's a good chance she'll age out." I frowned. I hate that this is supposed to be her future. "Since I'm an emergency foster parent, they said they were looking for a more permanent solution, but I told them there's no rush. She's fine right where she is."

"If you wanted to, is there a chance you could adopt her in the future?" He asked.

"I would have to convince her parents to sign away their parental rights, which won't happen until at least after the trial. They will use the fact that they have a child to get a lesser sentence. I've thought about it, but there are a lot of things I would have to do first. I told them she was safe in my home for now," I explained.

"So, you've thought about adopting her?" Kacchan asked with a cocked brow.

"Is that a problem?" It better not be. If it is, our relationship is already off to a rocky start.

"Absolutely not," he reassured. I relaxed against the arm of the couch. Thank goodness. "I just want to be kept updated, is all."

"That's fair. I'm sorry." If he is going to be a part of my life, he does need to know these things.

He flashed me a soft smile. "I'm not mad. I just think we should continue to make sure we're on the same page, especially since you once told me that you want six or seven kids."

I did say that, didn't I? "And you said possibly three or four," I said. Maybe we can meet in the middle at five kids if we work out.

"I think with the right person, I would be open to having a bigger family." He squeezed my leg again. "Any other life-changing things I should know about?"

"I'm moving," I shrugged. "Iida bought a huge plot of land and is building all of us houses by each other. It will be easier to help with the kids and give Himari her own room, which is one of the things I have to do if I want to adopt her. She can't keep rotating between the couch and Daiki's room forever."

"Do you know when you're moving?" Kacchan asked.

"My house should be done within a couple of weeks. Everyone else's is already done. People really do have some amazing quirks." I could go on about everyone working on my house, but I don't want to bore him with it.