Deku's secret illness

Ch. 20- Home

As Midoriya stepped inside Aizawa's house, he was met with the warmth and coziness of a home he had never seen before. Eri, who was already familiar with him as the hero Deku, rushed over to greet him with a big smile.

"Deku! You're here!" Eri exclaimed happily, running up to him and hugging him tightly.

Midoriya chuckled softly and hugged her back. "Hey, Eri. It's good to see you again."

Aizawa watched the interaction with a small smile, proud of the bond Eri and Midoriya had formed. "Eri is quite fond of you," he commented.

"She's a great kid," Midoriya replied, glancing down at Eri, who was still holding onto him.

Aizawa then turned to Midoriya with a laid back expression. "No need to call me sensei anymore. Just Aizawa will do."

Midoriya blinked in surprise, feeling a mix of confusion and gratitude. "Oh, um... okay, Aizawa."

Aizawa nodded in approval before leading Midoriya to his room. "Make yourself at home, kid. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Aizawa," Midoriya said, still adjusting to the change in how he addressed his teacher.

Hitoshi, who had been standing in the background, observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Wait, why is Midoriya here?"

Aizawa turned to Hitoshi, giving him a meaningful look. "Izuku will be staying with us for a while, that's all you need to know for now. If you want more details, you should ask him directly."

Hitoshi frowned, clearly intrigued by the cryptic response, but he decided not to press the matter further. "Alright, I guess."

As Aizawa led Midoriya to his room, Eri chatted excitedly about everything she wanted to show him and the games they could play together. Midoriya couldn't help but smile at her infectious energy, feeling a sense of comfort settle over him.

Inside his room, Midoriya found it to be simple but cozy, with a bed, a desk, and a few shelves for his belongings. Aizawa gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Make yourself at home, kid. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Aizawa," Midoriya replied gratefully. "I really appreciate all of this."

Aizawa waved it off with a small smile. "You're part of this family now, Izuku. We take care of our own."

After Aizawa left, Midoriya took a moment to process everything that had happened in such a short span of time. He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the kindness and support he had received from his teacher and his new family.

As the days passed, Midoriya continued to spend time with Eri, who excitedly showed him all her favorite toys and books. She often asked him to tell her stories of his heroics, and Midoriya happily obliged, knowing how much it meant to her.

He also spent time with Hitoshi, who was still curious about why Midoriya was staying with them. Hitoshi eventually mustered the courage to ask about it one evening while they were playing video games together.

It was a quiet evening and the soft glow of the lamp illuminated the living room where Midoriya and Hitoshi were sitting. They had just finished a round of video games, and now there was a moment of calm as they relaxed on the couch.

Hitoshi cleared his throat, looking a bit hesitant. "Hey, Izuku... Can I ask you something?"

Midoriya turned to him with a warm smile. "Of course, Hitoshi. What's on your mind?"

Hitoshi shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "Well, it's just... I was wondering why you're staying with us. Not that I mind, of course! It's just... I'm curious."

Midoriya's smile softened, understanding Hitoshi's curiosity. "I understand. It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try to keep it short."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "You see, after my mother passed away, I didn't have any other family members to take care of me. So, I ended up living on my own for a while. But when Aizawa-sensei found out, he offered to take care of me and give me a place to stay. He's been like a father figure to me along with Mic, and you and Eri are like siblings."

Hitoshi listened intently, feeling a mix of surprise and sympathy for everything Midoriya had gone through. "I had no idea... I'm sorry you had to go through all that alone."

Midoriya smiled softly. "It's okay. It's all in the past now, and I'm really grateful to be here with all of you."

Hitoshi nodded, feeling a newfound respect for Midoriya and his strength. "Well, we're glad to have you here too. You're part of the family now."

"Thank you, Hitoshi," Midoriya said sincerely. "I'm really happy to be part of this family."

And with that, the two boys shared a moment of understanding and acceptance, knowing that they were not alone anymore, and that they had each other and their newfound family to lean on.