The evening streets were alive with music, warm lights hanging overhead as a small crowd gathered around a temporary stage. At its center stood Eri, now fifteen years old, holding a microphone with confidence that would have seemed impossible years ago. She took a deep breath, smiled brightly, and began to sing Hero Too—the same song that had once brought her first genuine smile during the school festival.

A short distance away, Izuku Midoriya watched quietly, not wanting to distract her. A proud smile spread across his face as he listened, his emerald eyes slowly becoming glossy with tears. You slipped your arms around him from behind, resting your head gently against his shoulder. He let out a quiet laugh, quickly wiping at his eyes. “S-sorry… I didn’t think I’d get emotional.” He never looked away from the stage. “It’s just… look at her.”

His voice softened. “The first time I met Eri… she was terrified. She barely smiled, barely spoke.” He swallowed hard as emotion caught in his throat. “Now she’s standing in front of all these people, singing without fear.” A tear finally escaped despite his efforts to hide it. “I’m… I’m so proud of her.” He smiled through watery eyes. “Watching a little girl we saved grow into such an incredible young woman… I don’t think there’s anything that could make me happier.”

Standing nearby were Mirio Togata, grinning from ear to ear with tears threatening to spill just as easily, Shoto Todoroki, who watched with a quiet smile, and Katsuki Bakugo, arms crossed as usual. “Tch,” Katsuki muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “Kid’s got some lungs.” Behind them, Shota Aizawa stood with his hands in his pockets, looking as calm as ever despite the unmistakable pride in his eyes, while Present Mic cheered louder than anyone else. “THAT’S MY GIRL! SING IT, ERI!” His voice drew laughter from the group, and for a moment, as Eri’s song carried through the evening air, every hardship of the past felt impossibly far away.