The next day, the two students missed their first period class to discuss what was to be done. In the end, Eri knew what she wanted to do.

Todoroki walked her to the front office of the school where she confessed that she was a spy for the League of Villains. Eri was brought to the authorities, along with All Might and Aizawa, where she explained everything truthfully—from where it began with Overhaul to the present when she spoke with Todoroki in U.A. The only time she wasn't truthful was when the police asked her where the League's secret hideout was. Eri said that they changed it everyday so that they wouldn't get caught and gave a fake address. In actuality, the bar would always be the League's hideout.

Eri wanted to clear her name, but she wouldn't force the League to do the same. She hoped that they didn't see her actions as betrayal, but she was sure that they would be shocked. And probably hurt.

I'm sorry Shigaraki, Kurogiri, Toga, Dabi, Twice, Spinner, and the others... I wish I could've given you all a better goodbye, but I don't want to be surrounded by negativity and pain anymore. I want to forge my own path now.

Eventually the decision was made that Eri was cleared of all charges since she was a minor who was put in a very unique and unfortunate situation. However, she was not to remain in class 1-A, which had already been foreseen.

"Who would've thought my student was a spy?" Aizawa commented to himself as he walked her to the nurse's office. He was still grappling with the newfound knowledge.

"Well, sensei, you're a good teacher, because if you hadn't partnered me up with Todoroki, who knows what would've happened to all of us?" Eri complimented.

Aizawa hummed. "Things turned out for the best. And Eri?"

"Yes?"

"Don't feel pressured to say yes to Recovery Girl. This is your life. You can be whoever you want."

Eri smiled brightly at him. Yes, she was free in the fullest sense now. She was no longer a prisoner to fear. Her fear of Overhaul, her quirk, and heroes were not completely gone, but they were eased immensely, because she knew the truth now and she had good people to help her.

Like Todoroki. "Okay, sensei."

Aizawa stayed behind when Eri entered the nurse's office.

There sat the old lady at her desk. Eri felt like a different person seeing her now.

"Good morning, Eri. How are you feeling?" Recovery Girl asked. "I know things have been very difficult and life-changing recently."

"Good morning," Eri greeted. "I'm actually doing pretty well."

"Oh, what a relief that is to hear," the woman said.

Eri twirled a piece of her hair awkwardly as the lady typed a few things in her computer for a moment.

"Now, dear, I know hero work is the last thing you want to think of right now, so I won't take up much of your time," Recovery Girl assured. "I just want you to know that my offer still stands for you to be my successor if you're willing to train and learn to use your quirk, but of course, I don't want to stress—"

"I would love to learn from you, Recovery Girl," Eri said all of a sudden, with a smile of her face.

The nurse looked at her, surprised. "Oh! W-wonderful! But why the sudden change of heart? Last time, you wanted nothing to do with it."

Eri looked up, thinking of a certain someone. "I was inspired. Besides, you said it yourself that my life has changed drastically recently. It's about time I challenged myself with my quirk."

The truth was, after years of working with the League, Eri had done a lot of bad things, so now she wanted to some good. Eri didn't exactly want to be a typical hero that fought the villains (because she knew that villains were misunderstood and lost, like she once was), but she wanted to help people somehow. This seemed like the best way.

After fearing all of my life that I would hurt someone, I might actually be able to help someone who is hurt instead. All I needed was help and encouragement.

Maybe my quirk was never a curse, after all.

"I'm proud of you, Eri," Recovery Girl said with a sweet smile, as if reading the girl's mind.

Eri's cheeks flushed. "U-uh, thank you!"

__________

"Todoroki, are you sure?!" Eri exclaimed.

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't," Todoroki said.

"But—but I don't want to intrude—!"

Todoroki gave Eri a looked that read: really? Just accept my offer.

Eri rubbed her arm. "I mean... if you're a hundred percent sure..."

"Is that a yes?"

Eri rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly before giving a single, firm nod. "Yes."

"Great. My house is big, so you can choose any of the guest rooms that you want to be yours," Todoroki informed. "And I already talked my dad into it, so don't worry about him. Fuyumi can't wait to meet you."

"I can't wait to move in already!" Eri happily stated. "I'm so lucky! I already have a new home, and it's with my new friend!"

Todoroki's expression was fond, the way it usually did when Eri was around lately. "Hey, Eri. Our class wants to see you after school today in the cafeteria."

Eri perked up. "Oh, cool. Is there a reason?"

Todoroki picked his nails. "I'm not sure."

Liar.

When school ended, Todoroki lead Eri to the school cafeteria. After she opened the door, confetti fell onto the ground, and the class shouted, "happy birthday!"

Eri looked around the cafeteria in awe at all the decorations. "Wow! This is amazing! Thank you, guys!" But then she raised an eyebrow. "But, um... it's not my birthday. I think..."

The class murmured with each other, and eventually shoved Mina forward as the spokesperson.

"Haha, well, we heard about how no one actually knows the exact date of your birthday, and they only know an estimate of how old you are, so we decided that we should throw you a birthday party!" Mina explained with a grin. "It totally cheered you up, right?"

The class waited in suspense for her response.

Eri nodded with gleaming eyes. "I love it!"

The class cheered.

Eri had never gotten a birthday celebration before... These people, her new friends, were truly precious.

Then, she felt a tap in her shoulder. She turned around and found herself face-to-face with Midoriya Izuku.

"Hi, Eri!" He said, looking as vibrant as ever.

"Hey, Midoriya," Eri replied nervously.

"There's no need to feel wary around me," the green-haired boy assured. "That mission stuff is all in the past. We're friends now!"

"O-oh... Right!"

"C'mon, now," Midoriya urged, grabbing Eri's hand and leading her towards a table, "let's go cut the cake!"

Eri's mouth watered. "Cake?"

"Yeah, my mom made it! She makes the best sweets. I'm sure you'll love it!"

At that moment, with her friends around her and the sound of laughter in the air, Eri couldn't ask for anything more.

__________

It was a little awkward moving into Todoroki's house at first. Not only because it was a very traditional Japanese house, but also because Endeavor was there. He was a big man with a tough face. Not very welcoming.

However, Eri instantly felt better when she met Fuyumi, Todoroki's sister.

"Finally, another girl in the house!" The woman had hollered in joy. She gave Eri a small tour of the place and made her feel at home.

It was definitely strange to see how different Todoroki's relatives were from him. Of course, Eri understood why now, and to be honest, she preferred him just the way he was.

Later, Eri unpacked her few belonging and set them up in her new room. She was supposed to get a new dorm in U.A. when she began her training with Recovery Girl in two months, so until then, she was staying at Todoroki's house, which would be her permanent home. Both Endeavor and Fuyumi were her guardians now; not Shigaraki or Kurogiri... how odd.

It was better this way. Eri actually felt her age, whatever it may be, and her once heavy heart was as light as a feather.

__________

When it became dark, Eri stood outside in the balcony, gazing at the moon and stars in the sky. The breeze kissed her face and swept her long, flowing hair to the side. After a long day of excitement, it was nice to just take a moment to relax and process everything.

Eri could still hardly believe where she was at now. It had only been a few days ago that she was working for the League of Villains, and now here she was, living at Endeavor's house, soon to work with Recovery Girl to train her quirk.

Although Eri was happy, it was a little bittersweet. She knew that her past would still haunt her in cruel reminders like nightmares or flackbacks. It wasn't as easy to forget about as she was trying to make it seem.

But for now, Eri really was content.

"Daydreaming?"

Eri snapped her head to the direction of the voice and jumped, because besides her, on the other end of the balcony, was a familiar black-haired, blue-eyed male.

"Dabi!?" She whispered incredulously.

The man smirked. "I didn't scare you, did I?"

Eri looked around the area to make sure no one was around. Empty. She craned her neck towards Dabi and asked, "what are you doing here?"

Dabi rolled his eyes before glaring at the girl. "Did you forget everything I told you before you left for the mission? I warned you about these heroes, and yet here you are, living in his house. You ditched us so easily."

Eri straightened up and sighed. "Dabi... I'm sorry for leaving you guys like this, but... you were wrong. Not all heroes are bad. I'm fact, a lot of them are amazing."

Dabi scoffed.

"I'm serious," Eri said. "And I met someone who actually shares your experience with a hero hurting him, but he still wants to be a hero."

"So, what? Now you want to be a hero just because of some boy?"

Eri looked down at the ground below the balcony. "I want to be a someone who can help people, Dabi." She looked back up into Dabi's eyes. "I'm going to practice using rewind. When I master it, I could help fix your scars."

Dabi's shoulders tensed.

"That's if, you want me to..."

"No," Dabi said, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "I don't. They'll only come back again, because unlike you, my quirk is has no potential for good. It never has. It only causes destruction."

"That's not true!" Eri argued. "You know that that's what I used to think about my quirk. If I could somehow find a way to—"

Dabi put his hand up in a gesture to silence her. Eri faltered.

"Does this all have something to do with that kid, Todoroki Shouto?" He asked bitterly.

"Ye—If you're thinking about hurting him..." Eri warned, her eyebrows lowering threateningly.

The wind blew Dabi's hair onto his face, covering his eyes as he said, "no. Shouto is not the one I hate. But I do envy him for taking everything away from me. He always wins, doesn't he?"

Eri felt like the villain was speaking in riddles. "Dabi, what are you saying?"

Dabi looked to the side, his hair finally getting out of his eyes. He was looking somewhere far away. "You'll understand, whether it be in a minute or in a few years. I'll make sure of it.

"Anyway, I don't really agree with your decision to stay with the heroes, but I won't let the League try to take you back. You seem happier... and I know that you'll be the best out of all those damn 'heroes' out there. You were always the best one out of us scum here in the League. Teach those heroes something. And keep an eye on your new pal, Shouto, for me, won't you?"

Without letting Eri say another word, or even giving a formal goodbye, he jumped off the balcony and disappeared in a flash in blue fire.

A minute later, Todoroki approached her.

"Is everything alright here?" He asked. "I could've sworn that I heard some commotion."

"Um... yeah, everything is fine," Eri said. She smiled at him.

Everything is just fine...

"Okay, then." Todoroki stood where Dabi had just been and looked out the balcony, leaning his arms on the railing.

Why did Dabi seem to speak about Todoroki like he knew him? He even used his first name. Eri couldn't imagine them knowing each other out of battle. The only thing they had in common was that they both had fire based quirks. Todoroki wanted to be a hero, while Dabi was a villain.

"So, how did it go with Fuyumi?" Todoroki asked, turning his head to look at Eri,

Eri gazed at those peculiar, multi-colored eyes. Brown and blue... "It was good. Fuyumi is very sweet."

"Yes. Though she can get a little carried away. She's always wanted a sister, you know."

"...Right," Eri replied, distracted. "Todoroki, how many siblings do you have?"

"Three," Todoroki said, slightly confused by the random question. "There's Fuyumi and Natsou, who you haven't met yet, and Touya, but he disappeared a long time ago. I never really knew him."

Eri bit her tongue to hold back a small gasp.

Dabi...

"My own family is the reason I support stain."

"They'll say we're maniacs and monsters, and I won't lie, some of us are, but they fail to realize that they are too."

"And remember, just because a hero is on the top, doesn't make him any better than us, believe me. They could be the lowest of the low deep down inside."

Todoroki...

"My dad would force me to train constantly the moment I got my quirk, and I never could play with my siblings."

"My quirk is the reason for this damn scar!"

"It was Endeavor who brought my mom to that point."

No way.

Todoroki stood up stiffly, concerned. "Eri, you're not having flashbacks, are you?"

Eri blinked rapidly. She shook her head to push away her thoughts. "No, no! I'm okay! Sorry, I just zoned out for a second there."

Todoroki relaxed a little bit at that answer.

"How did you know that I get flashbacks?" Eri questioned. She observed how Todoroki's jaw clenched, and realized... "Do you get... flashbacks, too?"

Todoroki hesitantly nodded. "It's not something I've ever told anyone before."

"Then we're on the same boat," Eri admitted.

Todoroki stepped closer to Eri's side. "Tell me whenever you get flashbacks. I'll always help you out, since I know how it feels like."

"Okay. The same goes for you." That goes without saying.

The heterochromatic male peered over the balcony again. "This place gives me flashbacks sometimes," he revealed. "I used to stand here, watching my sibling play before getting away. Even though I knew my dad would yell at me every time, I still would return, because I wanted to see what it was like to have fun with family."

Eri frowned sadly. It was amazing how she could relate to Todoroki in many ways, even when there childhoods were very different.

"I've never played with anyone before either. How about we do something tomorrow?" Eri suggested.

Todoroki gave her a curious look. "Like what?"

"Well, I'm not sure," Eri said, awkwardly scratching her cheek. "What do people usually do for... fun?"

Todoroki tilted his head to the side, thinking. "Hmm. Some people go to parties; other people go to the movies. I like to get soba and pet the stray cats."

Eri's face brightened gleefully. "Oooh! What's soba?"

"Soba is my favorite food," Todoroki said, looking at Eri tenderly. "Would you like to get some with me tomorrow?"

"Yes!" The horned-girl cheered. "And, then, can we pet the cats, Todoroki?"

"Sure," Todoroki responded. "Also, Eri, you can call me Shouto if you want."

Eri arched her eyebrows. "I...I can call you Shouto? Are you sure?"

"Well, you're pretty much a part of my family now, so I don't see why not."

A warm smile spread across Eri's face. "Thank you, Shouto," she said earnestly.

This time, Todoroki initiated the hug. "Don't thank me, Eri. For the first time in my life, I don't feel like I'm alone in my experiences. I'm glad we met."

Eri dug her face in his shoulder before she got emotional.

Todoroki was more than a friend. He was the big brother she always needed, and Eri hoped that she was the little sister he always needed in return.

Together, they could overcome their pasts and work on a better future where no one had to suffer like they did.

__________

In the distant, Dabi watched the two figures embrace each other on the balcony.

He clicked his tongue. "Looks like she finally got that hug she wanted. Take care of her, little brother."