Mailin’s POV
It’s a quiet Saturday afternoon, but I can feel the tension rolling off Shota in waves as we sit in the lounge. Eri’s small hand is clasped in mine, her wide eyes flitting nervously between Shota and me. It’s been decided—she’ll be staying with us at U.A. permanently. The thought alone sends a protective surge through me. This little girl has no one left… except for us.
Shota’s voice cuts through the room as he explains to Class 1-A why Eri can no longer stay at the hospital. His tone is measured, calm, but I know him better than anyone. I see the way his jaw tightens ever so slightly, the way his eyes flick to me when he mentions Eri’s mother abandoning her. It’s the same unspoken understanding we’ve developed over the years: we’ll protect her. Together.
As Shota continues, I gently run my hand through Eri’s soft silver hair, watching as her shoulders relax under my touch. “You’re going to love it here,” I whisper to her. “You’ll have your own room, right next to ours.”
Her tiny fingers tighten around mine, and she looks up at me with those wide, ruby eyes. I can see the fear lingering there, but there’s something else too—something that feels like trust. Slowly but surely, she’s beginning to see us as her safe space.
---
Shota’s POV
Mailin’s voice, soft and soothing, drifts toward me as I watch her with Eri. I’ve always admired the way she handles situations like this—with a tenderness I can never quite master. But as I see Eri relaxing in her arms, it reminds me that we balance each other.
While Mailin speaks to Eri, I finish explaining the situation to Class 1-A. They take it in quietly, their expressions a mix of concern and sympathy. They know what this means—that we’re stepping in to take care of Eri, not just as teachers but as something more. As… family.
My eyes shift back to Mailin, watching as she kneels beside Eri, murmuring to her softly. I never thought I’d be in this position—caring for a child, thinking about the future in a way that goes beyond my duties as a hero. But with Mailin… it feels right. It feels like something we’re meant to do together.
When I finish speaking, I move to stand beside Mailin, our shoulders brushing as we watch Mirio crouch beside Eri with his usual grin. “You’re going to love it here, Eri. Everyone’s really nice, and I’ll be around too. You’ve got all of us.”
Eri looks up at me, her fingers still clutching Mailin’s hand. She’s searching for reassurance, something I’m not always great at giving. But for her, I’ll try. “You’re safe here,” I say quietly, my voice softer than usual. “We’ll make sure of it.”
She nods, and Mailin squeezes her hand gently. I glance at Mailin, our eyes meeting, and there’s a warmth there that hasn’t always been present. It’s a warmth that comes from building something together—something bigger than just us.
---
Mailin’s POV
We’re still sitting in the lounge when the TV flickers to life. I barely register the broadcast at first, but then I see it—Endeavor, flames blazing, locked in a brutal fight with a Nomu. The tension in the room spikes instantly. I can feel it ripple through Shota beside me, but it’s Shoto I’m most worried about.
His eyes are locked on the screen, wide and unblinking as he watches his father struggle. The battle is intense—too intense—and I can see the way Shoto’s body tenses, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts.
“Shota…” I whisper, but he’s already moving.
Shota crosses the room in a few long strides, his hand coming to rest on Shoto’s shoulder. “He’s not done yet,” he says, his voice steady, but there’s an undercurrent of something deeper there. Concern. Worry.
I stay where I am, Eri still nestled beside me, but my eyes are on Shota. It’s moments like this that remind me how much he cares about his students—how deeply he’s invested in their lives. And it only makes me fall harder for him.
His hand tightens on Shoto’s shoulder as we all watch the flames flicker on screen, the Nomu pressing harder and harder against Endeavor. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, not just for Shoto, but for Shota too. He’s carrying so much weight on his shoulders, and it’s moments like this that I wish I could ease it for him.
But I know better than anyone—he won’t let me. Not fully. It’s just who he is.
---
Shota’s POV
The tension in the room is thick as I stand beside Shoto, my eyes glued to the screen. Endeavor is struggling, and I can see the way it’s affecting Shoto. He’s torn—angry, worried, conflicted. This isn’t just about a hero battling a villain. It’s about his father.
I glance at Mailin, sitting with Eri across the room, her gaze steady on me. Even from this distance, I can feel her presence, grounding me in a way that nothing else does. She’s always been my anchor, the one who keeps me steady when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control.
And right now, with Eri looking up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, and Shoto beside me, I realize something: this is what family feels like. It’s not just about blood or names. It’s about the people you choose to protect. The people who make you better.
Finally, as the battle reaches its climax, I watch as Endeavor’s flames surge one last time, burning brighter and hotter than before. The Nomu is defeated, and the relief that floods the room is palpable. Shoto collapses to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and I crouch beside him, my hand still on his shoulder.
“He’s still here,” I say quietly. “He’s still fighting.”
---
Mailin’s POV
Eri stirs beside me, her small voice breaking the heavy silence in the room. “Is he okay?” she asks, her eyes wide with worry.
I smile softly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “He’ll be okay, sweetie. We all will.”
And as I say those words, I realize something: we’re not just Shota and Mailin anymore. We’re something more. Something stronger. We’re becoming a family, piece by piece, day by day. And though we haven’t said it out loud yet, I know in my heart that Eri isn’t just a responsibility to us. She’s becoming our daughter.
And with Shota beside me, I know we’ll protect her. Always.
I glance over at him, catching his eye, and he gives me the smallest of nods. It’s unspoken, but I feel it. We’re in this together.
YOU ARE READING
Ripples of Fate
RomanceAt U.A. High School, aspiring heroes are trained to fight, protect, and heal. For Mizuhana Mailin, her dream of becoming a hero is not about power or fame-it's about saving lives. With her water-based quirk that focuses on healing, she stands apart...
