Unlikely As It May Seem (An Izumina Fanfiction)

Ch. 38: Eri and Ragdoll

"Can I go with Mimi and Izuzu today?" Eri asked Aizawa as they were walking towards the 1-A Dorms. Aizawa had news to bring to the two students that Eri was currently asking about, and Eri knew that this was usually the time Izuku and MIna were getting ready to go out to their Work Study.

"I'm not sure, Eri," Aizawa responded to the little girl. "We'll have to see what they say after I give them the news, okay? But you have to understand that you might not be able to go, okay?"

"Okay, Mr. Shota!" Eri smiled widely to the tired looking man. He couldn't help the smile that quickly found it's way to his face. He had yet to figure out how this girl could light up the whole room, and make everyone smile as long as she did. Of course, he believed it was because the girl had so little reason to smile before being rescued, that the pureness behind it was contagious.

It wasn't long before they reached the Dorms, just as Izuku and Mina were coming down with their Hero costume cases in their hands, ready to go. They paused as they saw Aizawa, but quickly smiled seeing Eri in tow with him. She ran up to the two and they quickly took her in their arms. They embraced for a moment before pulling away, looking at Aizawa expectantly.

"Your Work Study for today has been cancelled," Aizawa stated, plainly. "I wanted to assure you it's not just your Work Study, it's everyone's. With your Final Exams upcoming, UA and the Pro Heroes the students are doing their Work Studies with have agreed that the students, primarily you First Years, need to concentrate and your school studies and preparing for the practical portion.

"The Pussycats are on their way to speak with the three of you further. Yaoyorozu will also be here shortly, as she was attending to Vice Representative duties when I informed her of this development." Izuku and Mina took the information in, nodding at Aizawa's words.

"Yes, sir," they both responded. With that out of the way, Aizawa relaxed a little.

"Also, Eri would like to know if she could spend the day with you. Since you won't be going to Work Study, I have no problem with this. She has also expressed interest in meeting the Pussycats, as apparently the two of you have spoken highly of them." The two were about to respond in the affirmative when Eri spoke up.

"Can I?" she asked the two, a bright smile on her face.

"How could we possibly say no to that face!" Mina exclaimed, kneeling down by Eri and tickling her.

"You weren't wrong, Shota, she is adorable!" another voice spoke up behind Aizawa. It was the Pussycats, all in civilian clothes. And Kota and Ragdoll, Tomoko Shiretoko, were with them. Aizawa looked over to them.

"It's good to see everyone," he said, before addressing the initial speaker. "Though I am little curious as to why all of you are here, Mandalay." The leader of the Pussycats stepped up to Aizawa.

"C'mon, Shota, you know you can call me Shino." There was a little bit of an awkward moment for Aizawa, as Mina, Izuku, and everyone looked on. Ragdoll and Pixie-Bob giggled, and Mina looked like she was about to burst at the interaction.

Oh, there's definitely something there, she said though, wryly. She was honestly a little surprised, as she was sure Aizawa had a thing with the Laughing Hero, Ms. Joke. Guess it was as one sided as Mr. Aizawa let on.

As Aizawa fussed with Mandalay over professionalism, trying his best to recover from the moment, it was Ragdoll that approached Eri. Eri was a little hesitant, given this was a new person for her, but after looking over to Izuku and Mina, and getting their reassurance, she slowly moved over.

"Hi, I'm Tomoko," Ragdoll introduced herself to the girl. "What's your name?" Ragdoll's smile was warm and pleasant, and Eri felt more comfortable as she introduced herself. The two seemed to hit it off very well.

Once introductions were out of the way, and news of the Work Study being put on hold being reiterated, the group spent about an hour together. Eri had wanted to play with Kota, seeing as the two were close in age. At first, he was reluctant, wanting to stick by Izuku the whole time, but eventually gave in to the white-haired girl.

Soon enough, the Pussycats and Kota took their leave. Aizawa was preparing to leave as well when Eri asked a question that made him pause.

"Why is Ms. Ragdoll sad?" she said. The three of them glanced at each other, unsure of how to approach this particular subject. Ragdoll had been smiling for most of the time, but everyone could still see the pain she carried. Apparently, Eri had picked up on it, too. It was Aizawa that finally broke the awkward silence.

"Well, Eri, do you know how I'm a Hero, and Midoriya and Ashido-er, Izuku and Mina are training to be Heroes?" The girl nodded softly. "Well, Ragdoll was also a Hero, but she had to stop being one." They then described the events a little to Eri, in a way she could understand it. The thought made her sad, but another thought also crossed the girl's mind.

"Mr. Shota, you've been helping me with my Quirk," she said. "Have I been doing good?" This question caught Aizawa off guard. He wasn't sure where she was going with this, but decided to humor her.

"You've been doing very well, you're learning quickly." He said, matter-of-factly. That seemed to confirm something for the girl, as she looked up with determination in her eyes, one that could have made Aizawa swear she was Izuku's child for sure, in some convoluted way.

"I want to help her be a Hero again."

A/N: Yes, I threw in an Aizawa ship. As far as those go, I really see him better with Midnight or someone like Mandalay than with Joke, but that's just me. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy.