Meraki (Aizawa and Eri x Girl! Reader Fanfic)

Chapter 8

As Principal Nezu offered me a cup of freshly steeped oolong tea, the aroma filled my senses. He asked me to meet him earlier over the phone because we are going to finalize all the necessary arrangements for the daycare. It's been a long time since I've spent my days surrounded by the squeals and choppy chatter of small children. My face lights up just thinking about spending time with Angels-turned-demons.

I honestly don't know how Eri would react if she were in the company of children her age. I'm hoping she'll adjust well, but if she can't, I'll ease her into it gradually. It's now a little after eight o'clock, and Eri has gone to browse the stalls with Togata first.

The school festival's opening program will begin at nine a.m. To be honest, I'm not sure where to go because I promised Togata and Midoriya that they could spend the day with Eri. I might have to deal with Nemuri-senpai or, worse, Hizashi! So, if he agrees, I can just go with Aizawa, right?

"What kind of ecchi thoughts are you having that have you blushing like that?"

Principal Nezu's unexpected question jolted me back to reality. When I look at him, he has a perpetual smirk on his face, and he knows how much it irritates me.

"It's Aizawa again," he said confidently, making me flush even more.

I sighed, "I'm just a mess when he's involved, sensei," my voice soft as I told him what's bugging me.

I even unconsciously called him sensei instead of kouchou-sensei. I guess after all this time, he is still the guardian that I came to trust and love.

"You were always a mess, Y/N," he chuckled when I offered him a glare but then, he continued, "You always seem to act tough and in control when you fight or are surrounded by people. However, when you are with those whom you trust, you never fail to let them see your real vulnerable self. You may be too emotional for your good, but I think many would agree that it is your most desirable trait."

He took a sip from his cup and stared at nothing as he carried on as if he is recalling a distant memory, "Whenever you're happy, sad, angry, worried, or whatever you're feeling, you can easily show it. You can directly express yourself at any given moment easily. I am entirely sure that it reaches the other person's heart and you affect them in one way or another."

I gawked at the wise man in front of me. I didn't know that he thinks of me this way. I didn't even realize that I possess the things he's saying. It is true when they say that you recognize your bad traits more than your good ones.

Our eyes met and he stared at me with fond eyes, "I was looking after you for almost four years. You haven't changed that much if I say so myself. In regards to Aizawa... Well, he's got a thick skull, is all. Don't worry about your feelings reaching him because I'm sure it does. You have been giving him signs back then. Now that you two are somehow connected again, I'm certain that sooner or later, he'll realize it himself," he finished and smiled at me warmly like those I often receive when he gave me pieces of advice.

"I'm just afraid to be rejected. I harbored this feeling for four years. I thought that I got over it when we separate ways. But then lo and behold, when I see him again for the first time in years, everything just went back. No matter how many times I try to muster my courage, I just can't tell him anything. Something must be wrong with me for not giving up completely," I said and chuckled awkwardly at the end of the sentence, hurt with my own words.

"I don't think so. It is because you care a lot about him than you would with any other person that made you extremely cautious of what he would think of you. I think you just know how to pick a man well if he's still the subject of your heart. He's an idiot if he will let you slip through his hands. After all, I kind of raised you to be the best so who wouldn't want you?" he remarked.