"OH MY MARSHMALLOW, SHE LAUGHED FOR ME!" you squealed, your voice a mix of joy and disbelief as Eri's tiny hand wrapped around your finger, her laughter bubbling up like a sweet melody.

You sat cross-legged in Eri's family living room, surrounded by colorful baby toys, while Eri's mother rested on the couch nearby, eyes closed and a soft smile playing on her lips.

"She really likes you, you know," Eri's mother murmured with a yawn, grateful for the help. These quiet afternoons had become a small haven for her, and she appreciated the moments of peace while you doted on her little one. You couldn't help but smile at how much Eri's mother had begun to trust you.

You glanced at Eri's tiny face, her wide eyes filled with innocent curiosity, and your heart tightened. She was barely a few months old, so pure and full of potential. It was impossible not to think of the future, the one you were determined to change for her. You couldn't let her suffer the same fate she would have—losing her family and growing up under the dark shadow of Kai.

Eri's small laugh echoed again, and you leaned in closer, keeping your voice light. "You're going to grow up happy and safe, Eri. I promise."

Eri's mother shifted, turning to you with a sleepy but grateful expression. "Thank you, [Name]. You're a blessing, you know that?"

You blushed, waving her words away as you focused back on Eri. "Nah, I just like hanging out with this little cutie. And besides, everyone needs a break sometimes."

Her mother smiled softly before leaning back and closing her eyes, leaving you to your thoughts. As Eri's laughter continued to fill the room, you hoped with all your heart that your efforts would be enough to protect her from the future you feared. The warmth of her tiny hands gripping yours and the sound of her carefree giggles made you more determined than ever.

Then, the doorbell rang. You gently adjusted Eri in your arms, cradling her head as you made your way to the door. As you opened it, you found her father standing there, suitcase in hand, a tired but genuine smile on his face.

"Welcome back," you greeted with a slight nod, keeping your voice low so as not to disturb Eri's mother, who had drifted off into a much-needed nap.

He returned your nod, his gaze softening as he looked down at Eri in your arms. "Thank you for looking after her," he said quietly. There was a gentleness in his voice that always seemed to catch you off guard, especially knowing how different things could have been in another world.

Eri definitely had her father's eyes—those gentle, dark brown eyes that held so much warmth. But everything else, from her delicate features to her shy smile, came from her mother.

You studied his face for a moment, thinking about how ordinary and kind he looked. It pained you, knowing that in another universe, this man would have met a tragic fate at the hands of his own daughter.

You carefully handed Eri over to him, making sure she was nestled securely in his arms. He held her with a practiced ease, his expression softening even more as she gurgled happily. For a moment, the three of you stood in comfortable silence—Eri content in her father's arms, and you caught in the bittersweet moment.

"Well, I'll get going now," you murmured, taking a step back toward the door. You didn't exchange many words beyond greetings and goodbyes, but you could always sense that he appreciated your help, just as much as you valued the chance to keep Eri and her family safe.

As you closed the door behind you, stepping back into the cool evening air, you let out a sigh. There was still so much to do, so many pieces of the puzzle to put together before everything started falling apart. But for now, Eri was happy, and her parents were safe. And that was enough to give you hope, even if just for a little while longer.

While on your usual walk home, a new candy shop caught your eye. Being the candy fanatic you were, curiosity got the best of you, and you stepped inside without a second thought. No candy store would go unexplored as long as you were around.

The candy shop was a colorful wonderland, lined with jars and displays overflowing with every type of sweet imaginable. The air was rich with the scent of sugar and chocolate, and vibrant assortments of lollipops, gummies, and hard candies seemed to beckon you closer, twinkling in the soft glow of the store lights.

Behind the counter stood a young man with light purple hair and a round, cheerful face. His smile was almost as bright as the store itself, beaming with genuine warmth.

"Welcome, dear customer!" he greeted, his voice upbeat and welcoming. "My name is Shinso, and what can I get for you today?"

Your eyes widened in excitement as you took in the array of colorful treats. "THIS PLACE IS SO PRETTY!" you exclaimed, practically bouncing on your feet. Your gaze flitted from one display to another, your excitement barely contained. If only you had the money right now, you were sure you'd buy everything in sight.

Pressing your face close to the counter, you asked eagerly, "Can I please have the mixed sweet bag with every single flavor of lollipops and a generous helping of that decadent chocolate cake?" You nearly drooled at the thought, imagining the rich chocolate melting in your mouth.

Shinso chuckled at your enthusiasm, reaching for a large, colorful bag. "One mixed sweet bag, coming right up! And you've got great taste—the chocolate cake is my personal favorite," he said with a wink, expertly filling the bag with an array of sweets.

"Dad, the mixer is broken!" a voice called from the back, but you were too absorbed in your treasure hunt to notice as you rummaged through your Sailor Moon handbag for cash. Unfortunately, some coins slipped from your fingers and scattered across the checkered floor.

As you bent down to retrieve them, you bumped heads with someone else who was trying to do the same.

"Ow!" you exclaimed, rubbing your forehead in pain. When you glanced up, your eyes met those of a familiar face. He was your age—twelve—but the dark circles under his eyes gave him an unexpectedly mature look.

"H-Hitoshi?" you whispered, recognition dawning.

"Here's your change," he said, extending his hand toward you.

"Hitoshi, did you try turning it off and on?" his father called from the back, rubbing his neck in exasperation.

You couldn't believe it—Shinso Hitoshi, a character you knew well from the show, was right in front of you. You never expected to find him working in a candy shop.

Shinso blinked, pausing mid-reach to look at you with mild curiosity. "Did you just... say my name?" he asked, his voice slightly puzzled but polite, as he handed you the loose coins. You quickly composed yourself, reminding yourself to act naturally.

"Uh, yeah, sorry! I heard your dad mention it," you quickly explained, accepting the change with a sheepish smile. "Thank you!"

Shinso gave a small nod, still looking a little confused but shrugging it off. "No problem." He stepped back, watching you as you gathered your sweets from the counter. You could feel his eyes lingering on you, as if he was trying to figure you out.

Shinso's dad returned to the back to deal with the mixer, leaving the two of you alone for a moment. You couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Shinso, feeling the weight of his future struggles hanging over him. Right now, he was just a kid like you—tired-looking but kind, with none of the burdens he would carry later.

"Hey, you're not from around here, are you?" Shinso asked, breaking the silence. "I haven't seen you in the neighborhood before."

You shook your head. "Not really, but I come by whenever I can! Especially if there's candy involved," you replied, trying to sound casual. You held up the bag of sweets with a grin, hoping to change the subject.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Shinso's mouth. "Well, guess you've found the best spot, then. My dad's cakes are kind of famous around here."

"Is that so?" You beamed, trying to keep the conversation light despite the thoughts swirling in your mind. "I'll be sure to spread the word to everyone I know!"

He nodded, his expression softening a little. "Thanks. Not many people say nice things to me, so... I appreciate it."

Your heart ached at his words. You wanted so badly to tell him that things would get better, that he'd find friends who would see past his quirk, and that one day he'd become a hero despite the odds. But for now, you settled for offering him a reassuring smile.

As you walked out of the store, your mind buzzed with thoughts about how different things were turning out in this world compared to what you remembered. Before you got too far, something made you turn back toward the shop.

"Wait—" you called out, glancing over your shoulder. Shinso was still standing in the doorway, his expression curious.

"What's your name?" he asked, pausing as if your answer might mean something more.

"Aizawa [Name]," you replied, flashing him a two-finger salute with a bright grin. Then, you plugged in your wired headphones and skipped down the sidewalk, the music in your ears matching the rhythm of your quickened pace.

Shinso watched you disappear into the distance, feeling a strange pull toward you. He couldn't quite explain it, but he knew deep down that this wouldn't be the last time your paths crossed.

//

You exhaled, collapsing onto the ground in pure exhaustion. It felt like Aizawa took your dream more seriously than even you did. He stood over you, arms crossed as he drilled you on your techniques in Gym Gamma, the facility echoing with his stern voice.

"[Name], you always use your most powerful moves head-on and exhaust your reserves of energy," he pointed out, kneeling beside you. His gaze was sharp but concerned. "You need to learn to control your output, or you'll burn out quickly."

You groaned, your cheek pressed against the cold floor as you tried to catch your breath. "It just... it just comes out so rapidly, Chichi," you admitted, voice muffled against the ground.

He sighed but didn't let up, his grip firm as he hauled you back onto your feet. "Then keep trying. You said you wanted to be a hero, right? Well, it doesn't come easily." His words carried a weight of experience, each one a reminder of the path you'd chosen.

Your legs wobbled beneath you as you found your footing, but you straightened up, clenching your fists. "Yeah, I do want to be a hero... and I'll make it work. I'll get there."

Aizawa's expression softened just a bit at your determination, though he quickly hid it behind his usual stoic mask. "Good. Then let's go again. But this time, don't just throw all your power into one move. Think strategically."

You nodded, wiping sweat from your brow, feeling a renewed sense of determination despite the weariness in your limbs. You knew the journey would be long and brutal, but with Aizawa's support, you believed you could endure it.

"Chichi, is there a chance... I could practice my blood manipulation on someone?" you asked, crossing your legs and peering up at him. The question hung in the air, and for a moment, you saw a flash of concern in his eyes.

Aizawa paused, considering your request carefully. "The safest option would be using one of the villain simulation robots. They're programmed to mimic human reactions... but those are restricted for UA students only," he said, a hint of frustration seeping into his voice.

"Aww, shucks," you sighed, getting up, trying to mask the disappointment that tugged at your chest.

"[Name], head home without me today. There's a UA teachers' meeting I need to attend," he said, his expression softening. He gently patted your face with a tissue, wiping away the sweat that clung to your skin.

"Okie dokie, Loki," you grinned, your usual cheerfulness back in place. You grabbed your bag, waving goodbye before heading off. As you walked through the familiar streets, you let yourself fall into the rhythm of mindless scrolling on your phone.

"Man, these kids and their new-gen humor need to be studied. But I guess I'm twelve, so... this is my humor," you muttered to yourself with a small smile. The streets were unusually quiet, the air thick with the sticky heat of the afternoon.

But then, a scream shattered the calm. The sound pierced through the neighborhood, followed by another, higher-pitched and more desperate. You stopped in your tracks, your heart hammering in your chest as people rushed past, their faces twisted in fear.

"What's going on?" you whispered to yourself, a cold knot forming in your stomach. You pushed against the tide of fleeing people, and that's when you saw him—a man with gnarled hands covering his body, destroying everything in his path with a malicious grin. His movements were wild, erratic, each step leaving chaos in its wake.

The jewelry store nearby was in shambles, its windows shattered and glass littering the ground like jagged stars. Inside, a few people were trapped, huddled together and wincing from cuts caused by the shards. You felt a surge of urgency swell within you, overriding your fear.

You sprinted toward the store, clambering over the debris to reach the trapped civilians. "It's going to be okay! Just hold on!" you called out, your voice trembling with a reassurance you barely felt yourself.

You managed to free a few people, guiding them toward the exit. But just as you turned back for the last group, a dark shadow stretched across the ground, engulfing you. A chill ran down your spine as you slowly turned your head, only to find the villain towering over you, his twisted grin wide enough to swallow the light.

"Holy mother of gummy bears," you muttered, your voice barely a breath. Panic clawed at your chest, but before you could react, a massive hand slammed into your side, flinging you like a rag doll into the store's crumbling wall.

You crumpled to the ground, pain lancing through your ribs and a sharp sting blooming at the back of your head. The world swayed around you, blurry and muted, as you struggled to catch your breath. Through the haze, you watched in horror as the villain turned toward the store clerk, a vicious intent in his eyes.

You knew what the heroes would say—don't engage, wait for backup. But right now, there was no backup. There was only you, a twelve-year-old.

Gritting your teeth, you planted a hand on the ground, forcing yourself up. Pain radiated through your body, but you pushed it down. You raised a trembling hand, calling on your quirk with every ounce of focus you had left. Water coiled around your arm, shimmering in the broken light before lashing out in a sharp arc. It struck the villain's legs, sending him sprawling to the ground with a thunderous crash.

For a brief moment, relief surged through you. But then his enraged gaze snapped toward you, and his snarl echoed through the empty street.

"You're going to regret this, kid!" he bellowed, his voice a raw growl that vibrated through your bones. He lunged toward you, his hands outstretched like claws.

Your vision blurred, exhaustion pulling at the edges of your mind. Your energy reserves were nearly gone—your limbs heavy and sluggish. But you couldn't stop now. With a desperate breath, you raised your hand one last time, channeling the final reserves of your strength.

You pictured the flow of blood like a circuit inside his body, imagined your control spreading through it like a web. With a sharp intake of breath, you clenched your hand into a tight fist, feeling the strain pull through your entire being.

The villain's steps faltered. He choked, clutching his chest as if something had seized his heart. His legs buckled beneath him, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath. His eyes were wide with confusion and fear, his body trembling uncontrollably. Then, with a final, shuddering breath, he collapsed into unconsciousness, right at your feet.

You stood there, panting, your heart hammering in your ears. The weight of what you had done crashed over you like a wave, dragging you under. You hadn't meant to push him that far—to see him so utterly powerless. A knot of guilt twisted in your chest, even as part of you whispered that you had saved lives today.

But before you could dwell on the conflicting emotions tearing at you, the world tilted dangerously. The throbbing pain in your head overwhelmed your senses, and darkness crawled into the corners of your vision.

You barely had time to register the blood trickling down your temple before your legs gave out, and you collapsed beside the villain, the cold pavement pressing against your cheek.

As your consciousness slipped away, your last thoughts were of Aizawa—hoping he would understand, hoping he would be proud... and fearing he might see this as A MISTAKE YOU COULDN'T TAKE BACK.

AN: I had free time.