Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 53: A New Beginning

The morning sunlight streams through the hospital room's windows, casting a soft glow over the sterile white walls. The air is filled with the quiet hum of the hospital, broken only by the occasional sound of a nurse passing by or the faint beeping of machines. I stand beside Aizawa-Sensei, just outside Eri’s room, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nerves. Today is important.

“Ready?” Aizawa-Sensei asks, his voice steady but soft.

I nod, though inside, I feel a little jittery. Eri’s still so fragile, and even though I know Aizawa-Sensei and I have been doing everything we can to make her feel safe, it’s hard to shake the weight of the situation.

We enter the room quietly, and I see Midoriya and Mirio already inside, standing by the bed. Eri looks so small, even tinier than I remember. Her once bright eyes seem dulled, her little body tucked under the covers as she glances up at us, the horn on her forehead barely visible.

“Good morning, Eri,” Aizawa-Sensei greets her, his tone calm as always. He steps closer to her bed, and I follow closely behind him. It’s strange how natural it’s starting to feel, being here with them—like a little family in the middle of all this chaos.

Eri’s voice is barely a whisper. “Good morning… Aizawa-Sensei. Mailin.” She looks at Midoriya and Mirio, her expression clouded with guilt. “I’m sorry. I caused so much trouble…”

My heart tightens at the sound of her apology. This little girl, who’s been through so much, thinks all of this is her fault. I want to say something, to comfort her, but the words get stuck in my throat. I glance at Aizawa-Sensei, and I can tell from the slight softening in his eyes that he feels the same way.

“It’s not your fault, Eri,” Midoriya says gently, stepping forward. His usual bright energy is tempered with a gentleness I’ve come to admire. “We’re just happy you’re safe.”

Eri’s eyes flicker to Mirio, her voice trembling. “But… because of me, Mirio lost his Quirk.”

Mirio kneels down by her bed, his smile as bright as ever. “Eri, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just glad you’re okay. That’s all that matters. And besides,” he winks, “I’m still me, Quirk or not.”

Eri’s lips twitch, trying to form a smile, but it falters, and I can see the pain and confusion behind her eyes. Overhaul left scars that run deep, and it’s clear she’s still struggling to find her place in a world that’s been so cruel to her.

Aizawa-Sensei places a hand gently on her shoulder. “You don’t have to apologize, Eri. You’re safe now, and that’s what’s important.”

I watch her carefully, noticing how she seems to draw a little comfort from Aizawa-Sensei’s words, though she still looks like she’s holding onto something heavy.

Midoriya’s voice cuts through the quiet, a sudden spark of excitement in his tone. “I have an idea! What if… What if Eri comes to the U.A. School Festival with us?”

I blink in surprise, and so does Aizawa-Sensei. He gives Midoriya a quizzical look, but Midoriya continues enthusiastically. “The festival is all about having fun and enjoying ourselves. Maybe that’s what Eri needs—to see something happy for a change, to experience something outside of all the pain she’s been through.”

Mirio’s face lights up with the idea. “Yeah! You’d love it, Eri! There’s music, food, games… and candied apples! You’ve got to try them—they’re amazing.”

Eri’s eyes widen a little at the mention of candied apples, her small hands gripping the blanket tighter. It’s the first sign of interest she’s shown in anything since we arrived.

Aizawa-Sensei crosses his arms, thinking it over. “I’m not sure. It could be overwhelming for her.”

I step in, my voice quiet but hopeful. “Maybe it could help her feel like she belongs… like she’s not just someone we rescued, but part of something more. It might give her a chance to smile again.”

He glances at me, and I can tell he’s weighing my words carefully. There’s a flicker of something in his eyes—understanding, maybe. He’s always been protective of Eri, and I know he wants what’s best for her, just like I do.

A few moments of silence pass before he sighs softly and pulls out his phone. “I’ll call Nezu. We’ll see if we can make it happen.”

I feel a small surge of relief. Aizawa-Sensei trusts us enough to give this a shot.

While he’s on the phone, Midoriya crouches down beside Eri’s bed, smiling gently. “Would you like that, Eri? To come with us to the festival?”

She hesitates for a moment, but then, slowly, she nods. “I think… I would like that.”

The room seems to brighten a little at her words, and I can’t help but smile. It’s a small step, but it’s something. And with Aizawa-Sensei by her side, and me too, maybe she’ll start to feel safe enough to let herself heal.

---

Later, as we walk out of the hospital together, Aizawa-Sensei falls into step beside me. He doesn’t say much, but that’s normal for him. Still, there’s a quiet understanding between us. Eri’s our responsibility now—not just his, but mine too. We’re in this together, like a family.

“She’s opening up a little,” I say quietly, glancing at him.

He nods. “She is. But it’ll take time.”

“I know. But… we’ll be there for her.”

He looks at me, his expression softening just a little. “Yeah. We will.”

For a moment, as we walk side by side, I feel a strange sense of peace. It’s not going to be easy, but as long as we’re together, I think we can help Eri find her way again.