Meraki (Aizawa and Eri x Girl! Reader Fanfic)

Chapter 11

It's been a week since we started Eri's training. We had asked for Monoma's help but he can't copy our girl's quirk. After that, we tried to let Eri activate her quirk little by little. However, when she tried to do as asked, her body quivers. Her fears are still consuming her mind unable to go further once she feels the electricity running through her horn.

A deep sigh escaped me after recalling how she looked a week ago. I may not have told anyone about this, but I am feeling desperate to find a solution. I can't stand watching her suffer like that.

My heart breaks every time I am reminded that she grew up with an abusive 'relative'. Unlike other children, she never got to experience the feel of her quirk in her body nor did she ever explore what she could do with her ability. A little ray of hope finds its way into my heart whenever I imagine that from here on out, she can start living her life the way she wanted.

The nutty aroma of a freshly brewed coffee snapped me out of my thoughts. A to-go cup of the piping hot holiness is placed in front of me. I trailed my eyes on the hands that held the cup to his arms and up to his shaggy hair. Shouta plopped beside me on the sofa and took a sip of his coffee.

"You're back. What did Principal Nezu say?" I queried. He was out earlier to talk with the principal regarding Eri. He must've been curious about her training.

He ran his hand through his jet-black locks absentmindedly as though he's collecting his thoughts. After a moment of stilled breathes he said, "Eri's grandfather is not doing that well. He said that his condition is worsening and there's a high possibility that he'll be gone sooner than later."

I kept quiet knowing that he still has something to add, "He also informed me if that happens, UA is more than happy to provide for Eri. However, as the law states, without a guardian, she'll be taken to an orphanage."

The moment those words are uttered, I feel myself stiffen. Orphanage? Flashbacks of the bodies that littered the floor filled my head. Those lifeless eyes that bore into my soul and the cries of the children made my heart beat rapidly. My breathing starts to quicken as panic and dread rushed through me. No! Eri will never go there! I will not allow it! No! NO! NO!

A tight embrace cocooned me out of nowhere- the smell of the familiar perfume that I came to love wafts through my senses. Snapping my head up, I came face to face with Shouta who held concern and worry in his depths. My eyes blurred as tears started to form.

"Shou-ta," my voice cracked as I desperately clung to his shirt, "I can't let them take Eri somewhere. Please. The orphanage is filled with bad people. I-she can't- I will. Please, no." I can't hold back my tears anymore as I feel myself weaken. One by one, my tears fell as I feel like something precious is about to slip out of my hold. The trauma that I suffered is coming back to me.

Shouta's arm tightens around me while the other stroked my hair continuously. This act of affection comforts my inner turmoil a bit. However, the image of Eri standing on the spot where I've been, bathed in blood, and with death hanging heavily in the air makes me want to spill what I had from breakfast.

"Hey, it's alright. It's alright. I'm here," his voice held warmth and sincerity as he continues those words over and over again.

The pain that I thought was long gone is still within me all along. I never thought that I'll ever feel this way again. No matter how much you tell yourself to be strong and move on, there will always be moments where the band-aid exposes your wounds. A time will come when everything crumbles and all that's left is the fragile core you're protecting with your tougher exterior.

Shouta allowed me to weep my sorrows and worries away. He didn't say anything but his strong embrace relays that he's there for me. His little pats on my back say that it's going to be alright. Shouta's presence alone is a major reassurance that everything will turn out fine.