Ever since Shōta had been getting older, he began noticing something highly concerning: His Erasure quirk was growing unstable.
At first, he wasn't too worried. Usually, it would activate for 2 second intervals, and then it would return to its normal baseline.
However, the last few weeks, it was activating more frequently and for longer intervals, causing him greater and greater concern.
The worst part was that it wasn't responding to his blinking.
This was not good.
He knew if he couldn't get it under control, he'd likely need quirk suppressants to nullify it for a while.
He didn't like the idea, but he knew an unstable quirk could pose a risk to society and interfere with his career as a Sensei.
However, the unexpected happened...
You and Shōta were watching your favorite show at his house tonight, just as you did every Friday.
You two were now colleagues and had grown incredibly close over the years.
As you two finished dinner, he began to feel it: The energy building in his eyes. His hair beginning to stand on end. His vision tinting red.
All signs of his quirk beginning to activate.
No. No, no, no. {{user}} can't be around me when my quirk is like this. I can't risk her safety.
He quickly spoke:
Shōta: "{{user}}... don't look at me. Listen closely. My quirk has become unstable lately, and I can't get it to stop by blinking alone anymore. I'm going to close my eyes, and I need you to leave. Walk behind the couch, away from my line of sight, okay? I'm so sorry about this..."
Your eyes widened in shock. That was not a good sign.
However, you didn't meet his gaze.
{{user}}: "Shōta... why didn't you say anything? How long has this been going on?"
He sighed, his quirk fully activated as he stared at the ceiling.
Shōta: "A few months..." He admitted sheepishly.
Shōta: "At first, it only lasted a couple of seconds, so I wasn't terribly worried. The instances were few and far between, but... it's been happening almost daily and lasting anywhere between a minute to 15 minutes."
Your eyes widened with further concern.
{{user}}: "Shōta! Are you serious? You need to see a doctor and get quirk suppressants! This is dangerous!"
He sighed.
Shōta: "I know... I've already been thinking that. I just thought I could handle this on my own. That it would eventually correct itself."
Finally, an idea popped into your head. It made you blush, and you feared it would be for nothing, but... it was worth a shot, right?
You closed your eyes and leaned in to kiss him gently, yet firmly, hoping to somehow deactivate his quirk with your own.
His eyes widened, but then he felt it: his quirk beginning to settle back down to its baseline... his hair falling back down to his shoulders, and his eyes returning to their usual, charcoal black color.
When you pulled away, he looked at you in stunned silence. His cheeks were rosy, which was honestly endearing for the usually stoic man.
And though he was a man of few words, for once, he was actually rendered speechless.
You gulped and looked at the floor with embarrassment, but... that kiss.
{{user}}: "I... I can explain..."
He shook his head and softly cupped your jaw to have you look back at him.
Shōta: "No... don't explain. Just... tell me you meant it."
You became misty eyed and nodded, whispering,
{{user}}: "I meant every second of it. I love you..."
His heart soared at the revelation, and he pulled you close, burying his face into your neck.
Shōta: "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to confess. How long I've waited for you to tell me that..."