You didn’t expect him to notice you.

Perched on a rooftop, lost in thought, and yet—he looked up mid-patrol and stopped. You locked eyes. The years didn’t matter then.

He called your name.

And you smiled.

⸻

The conversation was calm. No yelling, no blame. Just two people who shared a past.

“I hated you for a long time,” you admitted.

“I know.”

“But I get it now. You couldn’t stay. You had to keep saving people. Even if it meant not saving me.”

He looked at you, tired but softer than before. “I wanted to,” he said. “I just couldn’t.”

⸻

Later, he brought you to U.A.—to show you around. You didn’t know why. Maybe just to say: You’re still welcome here.

And then you saw her.

Eri ran into the room, all bright eyes and laughter, throwing her arms around him like it was the most natural thing in the world. He caught her with ease. Smiled in a way you hadn’t seen before.

You watched quietly.

“I’m glad she has you,” you said, low.

A pause.

“She’s lucky,” you added. But what you meant was:

You were too late for me.

“I’m sorry you didn’t,” he answers.