Red in Different Shades

37. Impatience on the Horizon

As it turned out, Eri would be staying on campus. According to Aizawa-sensei, Principle Nezu had arranged for her to stay in the teachers' facilities. Her Quirk posed too great a risk to allow her to go to an orphanage, and Aizawa-sensei was currently the only person who could help her if that power went out of control. Mirio-senpai, who'd lost his Quirk during Eri's rescue mission, had eagerly volunteered to be around and help care for her while he took a break from school.

Just thinking about it was enough for Niwa, it settled some restless part of her soul and helped her sleep a little better without the lingering worry in the back of her mind. With Aizawa-sensei and Mirio around, Eri was in safe hands. 

Niwa pushed her thoughts aside as she perched on the arm of the green sofa next to Bakugou and Kirishima. The murmur of her classmates filled the common room, lingering arounds as they all waited for some guests that were apparently going to be visiting them.

"Any idea who's coming?" Kaminari asked, leaning over the back of the sofa with a curious grin.

"No clue," Kirishima replied, crossing his arms and scanning the room. "But I hope it's someone cool."

Before anyone could even hazard a guess, there was a knock at the door, and a wave of excited whispers swept through the room.

"They're here, everyone!" Iida announced, sounding about two seconds away from formally lining them up.

The door swung open, and the visitors made a dramatic entrance, the kind that was almost as cringeworthy as Niwa remembered it being the last time she'd witnessed it.

"Lock on with these sparkling gazes!" Mandalay announced, striking a pose.

"We've come to lend a paw and help!" Ragdoll chimed in, bouncing slightly.

"Coming out of nowhere..." Tiger followed up, flexing his arms.

"Stingingly cute and catlike!" Pixie-Bob added with a wink.

"Wild, Wild Pussycats!" they finished, striking one last synchronized pose. Even in their casual clothes, they managed to make an entrance.

"Pussycats!" Iida bowed, "Long time no see!"

Mina practically squealed, eyes sparkling as she ran over to greet them. Tiger handed out a box of cute paw-shaped buns, and the room filled with delighted chatter.

Tiger approached Bakugou, his expression sincere as he spoke, "Sorry I couldn't protect you to the end back then."

Bakugou glanced off to the side, brushing it off with a simple, "Don't keep digging up the past." His voice was as gruff as ever.

"We're all okay, right?" Kyoka replied to Tiger, glancing over to where Uraraka and Mina were gushing over the paw-shaped buns. Niwa watched with a small smile and a fond shake of her head.

Nearby, Midoriya's face was practically glowing as he shook hands with Kota. "Kota! Long time no see!" he said, beaming. "Thank you for your letter! I'll treasure it forever!"

Kota's cheeks turned a faint pink, and he muttered, "Whatever."

Mandalay joined them with a grin, holding up Kota's new red sneakers. "Notice anything, Midoriya? He chose these himself. Said he definitely wanted red."

Kota's face went beet red as he flailed slightly, yelling, "T-That's not..."

Midoriya's eyes practically sparkled. "We match!"

Kota shifted, looking away, but a shy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

When Sato appeared with a tray of tea, wearing his usual pink apron, he asked the Pussycats, "So, what brings you all here?"