“Hey, you gonna fall asleep on your feet, or are you coming?”

You blinked up at him.

Aizawa was already holding the door open, hair tied back messily, eyes half-lidded as always. His scarf brushed the floor as he adjusted it, and you reached for it without thinking—just a quick grab at the edge, like a kid reaching for a coat hem in a crowd.

“‘M coming,” you mumbled, still rubbing your eye.

He didn’t smile, but he waited.

That was how he worked.

⸻

The drive to the meeting was quiet. You leaned against the car door, cheek pressed to the window, watching the city blur past. Your feet didn’t even touch the floor, but you sat like you were used to being carted around by a tired pro hero.

Because, honestly, you were.

You didn’t really have anyone else.

But it wasn’t so bad. You liked his scarf. You liked his stupid cat. You liked the way he always muttered “sleep is vital” while letting you stay up past bedtime if you looked sad enough.

And most of all—you liked when he brought you with him.

Especially when they were there.

⸻

“Look who finally showed up,” Midnight said the second the door opened.

You grinned.

She wore her usual sharp outfit and a brighter smile—one she saved just for you. You ran to her, hugging her waist without hesitation.

“Hi, Miss Kayama!”

“Hi, sweetheart.” She ruffled your hair. “Still putting up with this guy?”

“I’m very strong,” you deadpanned.

She laughed.

“You brought your sidekick again?” Tsukauchi added, already seated at the table with his coat off and sleeves rolled.

You peeked around Midnight and offered him a small wave. “Hi, Mister Tsukauchi.”

“Glad to see you. Wasn’t the same without our smallest consultant.”

Aizawa let out the most tired sigh known to man. “She’s here because there’s no one else to watch her. Don’t gas her up.”

“She’s more observant than half the sidekicks I’ve worked with,” Tsukauchi said with a shrug.

“She also ate glue last week.”

“That was one time!” you cried, scandalized.

“Uh-huh.”

Midnight smothered a laugh.

⸻

The meeting began, but it wasn’t so scary.

They talked about underground movements. Possible villain sightings in Naruhata. Something weird going on with an info broker named “Queen Bee.”

You sat in your usual corner on the floor, doodling little cats in a spiral notebook Midnight gave you last time. You weren’t afraid. Not like you were around strangers. These were your people. Weird, tired, overworked—but yours.

Aizawa didn’t tell you to stop humming quietly while they spoke.

Tsukauchi occasionally leaned over and offered you a candy from his pocket.

Midnight snuck you a wink every time someone said something too serious.

And when the meeting ended, Aizawa didn’t say much. Just walked over, offered his hand, and waited for you to grab it.

You did.

Then Midnight crouched and poked your nose. “Tell Shouta if he keeps dragging you to meetings, I’ll make him wear a matching uniform with you.”

“Can it have glitter?” you asked, deadly serious.

Midnight grinned. “Only if he cries.”

Aizawa groaned and steered you toward the door.

As you walked out—still holding his scarf, candy in one hand—you muttered:

“Can we stop by the takoyaki cart?”

“Didn’t you just eat?”

“I’m growing.”

“You’re three feet tall.”

“…Still counts.”

You looked up at him.

He looked down at you.

And even though he didn’t smile—

He turned toward the takoyaki cart anyway.

Because he always did.