[He keeps an eye on her for a moment, turning back when Mirio holds out his hand. For a moment he's baffled as to what to do with it-- but Izuku had introduced him to another very tall blonde man who did the same thing. A handshake, which he'd been told was a western means of greeting that had been growing in popularity in Japan. It made him feel strangely old, but he took the larger hand and shook it firmly.]
I don't mind at all-- I keep meaning to get out and around more of the grounds, anyway. [It's just all really overwhelming so he's very slow about it. His mouth pulls wide in a smile and he laughs softly, nodding.] That's fine, really. Maybe she can answer some questions I have, too! [He loves children, Mirio. Let him love your adopted baby.]
[Speaking of that...Tanjiro's words seem to give Mirio an idea as he leans back on his heels, folding his arms across his chest.]
"In that case...how would you feel about letting Eri show you around the grounds a bit?"
[And because he knows that's- probably alarming, since they literally just met-]
"Midoriya-kun has already vouched for you highly. He told me that you're very good with children. And we're trying to introduce Eri to new people, slowly. She isn't able to go very many places outside of here, so I think it would be fun for her."
[Tanjiro seems stunned by this-- both that Izuku would vouch so strongly for him (it isn't that he feels untrustworthy or undeserving of it, it just warms his everything that they'd trust him with a little girl that is clearly very important, and that Mirio would immediately follow suit. His face colors faintly and he smiles, nodding.]
Absolutely! I haven't really found my way around a lot of the school, so we can learn together.
"Alright then, it's settled! Give me just one sec."
[Mirio winks at Tanjiro before stepping around him, wandering off in the direction Eri had run without making it obvious he knew where she was. About a minute later, Tanjiro will hear the little girl scream again as her hiding spot is discovered, Mirio lifting her up in his arms now that he's "caught" her. His mouth moves as he comes walking back with her propped up on his hips, her eyes going a bit wide as she looks over at Tanjiro.]
"Okay! So, Eri-chan, you're going to do a good job of showing Kamado-kun around our school, aren't you?"
[Eri nods once as Mirio sets her down in the grass, prompting her to skitter over to Tanjiro. She seems a bit less shy than she was before, bolstered by the task Mirio had given her. She reaches up a tiny hand for Tanjiro's, her whole hand curving around his fingers.]
[He's going to die in the future because of an unreasonably precious little girl. She reminds him so much of Hanako he could actually cry, but he won't, really, at least not right now because it would probably upset her. He folds his fingers neatly around her hand and smiles, crouching down to reach out at pat her on the head.]
[Mirio seems content that Tanjiro- and Eri, of course- are both in good hands as Eri starts to tug Tanjiro along, Mirio waving to them both as he calls after them.]
Make sure you're in before it gets dark!
[He knows Tanjiro will make sure of that, though by then Eri will probably be trying to show him all of the Heights even though he's...seen it...
For now though, he's being treated to this little girl he just met pulling him along behind her, craning her head as she tries to decide where to take him first.]
[Listen he will let Eri show him whatever she wants to, he already adores her and he's known her like five minutes. He follows along behind her easily, not outpacing her but not trailing too far behind, either, and swings their hands just a little with a smile.]
What's your favorite place on the school grounds? You should show me that first.
[She has to stop and think. What place is her favorite? It's a school, and seeing as how she's never really been inside one like this, basically every room and hall is new to her. But then she thinks of something and bounces on her heels, pointing back to the main building.]
I know, I know- this way!
[MORE TINY CHILD LEADING as she drags him back inside, where the halls are currently empty thanks to most students being in class. Eri doesn't run (because she knows you're not supposed to run in the halls even if she's not a student), walking at Tanjiro's side now. It's a bit of a distance though, assuming she can remember how to get there on her own.]
[God he could die. It's startling that he keeps busy enough to not usually realize how much he misses the uneven pattering of small, off-balanced feet, the sometimes-too-tight grip of tiny fingers on his hand, but Eri is doing wonders to make his whole chest hurt with the kind of happiness and longing that is sure to stay heavy in his bones for days to come.]
[He's also... very enthused by the school itself, which probably does wonders for Eri's enjoyment of showing him around. She's absolutely right-- UA is huge, especially in comparison to almost every structure he's ever seen or been inside of. The architecture is wholly different, sleek and modern and while they still take their shoes off to swap for indoor ones, there's not a square of tatami in sight. He squeezes her fingers gently.]
It's super big. Buildings aren't half this big where I'm from!
[That's right...Eri remembers being told that Tanjiro is from the past. A time beyond anything she'd ever known, a time a lot simpler than things are now. It makes her curious, naturally, but also a little...scared in a distant way that only she could know, posessing a Quirk that affects people in time as it does.
Her grip tightens a little on Tanjiro's hand as she thinks about that.]
Mr. Aizawa [She says his name slowly, carefully enunciating each part.] says you're from very far away.
[He looks down to watch her watch her shoes, making a point of shifting his head enough so the gesture makes the very earrings she asks after shift, making a quiet, but ultimately very pleasant hollow clink of a sound as they knock into his jaw.]
Not specifically because of the Taisho Era, but these were handed down to me from my father. They've been in our family a very long time.
[The sound surprises her, causing her to look up at him. Now she's just wondering what they're made of...]
Oooh...
[Normally she might ask him what his father is like, or something similar, but...she notably goes quiet at that, like it's not something she wants him to ask her about. Instead she just looks ahead, keeping an eye out for the sign she's looking for until...]
There!
[She points up near the ceiling with her other hand, the door...comically large to accomodate those with Quirks who make them much taller than their peers. The sign is universal as being the school cafeteria, even if Tanjiro has never visited the school before.]
Mr.- Mr. Lunch Rush can make anything anyone wants to eat. It's amazing...
[He figures hanafuda are way less common these days, so her startle at the sound doesn't surprise him, really, though the way she goes quiet and doesn't say anything else for a moment is... Telling, and his eyebrows crease together. He squeezes her hand, gently, and decides maybe he'll ask her if she minds if he tells her stories about his family, a little later. He doesn't know her backstory, really, but he knows she's very young and isn't related to anyone at UA. There's clearly something that's happened, so he wants to tread carefully.]
[He looks up and stares at the sign for a long moment before he smiles, sinking down into a crouch and releasing her hand only in favor of holding out his arms.]
Do you want to go in? [Please let him carry you, Eri.]
[It takes Eri a moment to realize what it is that Tanjiro is offering. To carry her inside instead of walk with her. Aizawa, Mirio, Izuku...they all carry her frequently if there's somewhere long distance they need to get to to save her from walking, but also she just enjoys it sometimes too, especially when Mirio is carrying her. He's so tall, it makes her feel like she's flying...
There's a moment where she pauses, her left hand reaching up to unconsciously touch the horn protruding from her forehead. It's small right now, unlike how it had been when it grew before, but still enough to be noticable. She's not afraid to have contact with people as much as she had been, but at least if she's holding a hand she can quickly let go if she realizes something's gone wrong. What about here, though? What if something happened? She wouldn't know what to do if she hurt this nice man.
She moves her hand away after a moment, telling herself that it's fine. It's small...there's not enough power for her to do anything. She hasn't been able to for a long time, now.
Eri walks over to Tanjiro a little shyly before she holds her arms up towards him so he can pick her up.]
[Tanjiro is nothing if not patient, so he lets Eri think the gesture over, watching her paw at her horn and only really then taking a good look at it. Her Quirk, he figured, despite not having any real idea of what it was. He remembered Izuku mentioning she didn't know how to use it, which made sense given how young she was. He said they usually showed up around age four? So Eri had probably only had hers a few years, by now...]
[When she shuffles toward him, all shy and meek, he very nearly feels his insides melt and slosh around inside of him, and he can't help the positively gooey smile on his face-- even if it's bizarrely kind of sad, as well. He doesn't waste any time, then, reaching out and scooping her to him, squeezing her gently before standing back up, letting her perch on his forearm while his other hand rests between her shoulders so she doesn't tip over.]
So you said he can make anything? What's your favorite to have him make, then?
[That is... so cute. He literally can't stop smiling, she's so fucking cute.]
So you like apples then, is that right? [He hums in thought.] You know, you can put apples in spices and cook them to make them soft and make them a treat with any meal, too! Usually with cinnamon and nutmeg, which are really good for you!
[It's the little things, really...Eri has suffered so much that her likes and the things that bring her joy in life are terribly simple compared to most children her age. Honestly, it's only been recently that she knew just how to experience that joy without expecting it to be taken away from her.]
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"!
[She suddenly parrots, her legs swinging a little in Tanjiro's grasp.]
[His whole face scrunches up in a smile at that, and he nods.]
I think I've heard that saying, before... They're very good for you, so Mr. Lemillion is right when he says that. Have you ever had apple slices where the skin is cut to look like a rabbit?
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I don't mind at all-- I keep meaning to get out and around more of the grounds, anyway. [It's just all really overwhelming so he's very slow about it. His mouth pulls wide in a smile and he laughs softly, nodding.] That's fine, really. Maybe she can answer some questions I have, too! [He loves children, Mirio. Let him love your adopted baby.]
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"In that case...how would you feel about letting Eri show you around the grounds a bit?"
[And because he knows that's- probably alarming, since they literally just met-]
"Midoriya-kun has already vouched for you highly. He told me that you're very good with children. And we're trying to introduce Eri to new people, slowly. She isn't able to go very many places outside of here, so I think it would be fun for her."
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Absolutely! I haven't really found my way around a lot of the school, so we can learn together.
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[Mirio winks at Tanjiro before stepping around him, wandering off in the direction Eri had run without making it obvious he knew where she was. About a minute later, Tanjiro will hear the little girl scream again as her hiding spot is discovered, Mirio lifting her up in his arms now that he's "caught" her. His mouth moves as he comes walking back with her propped up on his hips, her eyes going a bit wide as she looks over at Tanjiro.]
"Okay! So, Eri-chan, you're going to do a good job of showing Kamado-kun around our school, aren't you?"
[Eri nods once as Mirio sets her down in the grass, prompting her to skitter over to Tanjiro. She seems a bit less shy than she was before, bolstered by the task Mirio had given her. She reaches up a tiny hand for Tanjiro's, her whole hand curving around his fingers.]
I'll show you, Mr. Tanjiro!
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I'll be in your care, Miss Eri.
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Make sure you're in before it gets dark!
[He knows Tanjiro will make sure of that, though by then Eri will probably be trying to show him all of the Heights even though he's...seen it...
For now though, he's being treated to this little girl he just met pulling him along behind her, craning her head as she tries to decide where to take him first.]
Umm...
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What's your favorite place on the school grounds? You should show me that first.
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[She has to stop and think. What place is her favorite? It's a school, and seeing as how she's never really been inside one like this, basically every room and hall is new to her. But then she thinks of something and bounces on her heels, pointing back to the main building.]
I know, I know- this way!
[MORE TINY CHILD LEADING as she drags him back inside, where the halls are currently empty thanks to most students being in class. Eri doesn't run (because she knows you're not supposed to run in the halls even if she's not a student), walking at Tanjiro's side now. It's a bit of a distance though, assuming she can remember how to get there on her own.]
It's really big.
[The school, she means.]
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[He's also... very enthused by the school itself, which probably does wonders for Eri's enjoyment of showing him around. She's absolutely right-- UA is huge, especially in comparison to almost every structure he's ever seen or been inside of. The architecture is wholly different, sleek and modern and while they still take their shoes off to swap for indoor ones, there's not a square of tatami in sight. He squeezes her fingers gently.]
It's super big. Buildings aren't half this big where I'm from!
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Her grip tightens a little on Tanjiro's hand as she thinks about that.]
Mr. Aizawa [She says his name slowly, carefully enunciating each part.] says you're from very far away.
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Yep! It's the Taisho Era, where I'm from. Everybody dresses different, and electricity is only in big cities.
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[She repeats the word slowly, looking down at her shoes squeaking against the smooth floor as they walk.]
Is that why you wear earrings?
[She's never actually seen any boys wear them that wasn't, like. A deliquent. And she's pretty sure Tanjiro is Not.]
I MISSED THIS
Not specifically because of the Taisho Era, but these were handed down to me from my father. They've been in our family a very long time.
oh NO
Oooh...
[Normally she might ask him what his father is like, or something similar, but...she notably goes quiet at that, like it's not something she wants him to ask her about. Instead she just looks ahead, keeping an eye out for the sign she's looking for until...]
There!
[She points up near the ceiling with her other hand, the door...comically large to accomodate those with Quirks who make them much taller than their peers. The sign is universal as being the school cafeteria, even if Tanjiro has never visited the school before.]
Mr.- Mr. Lunch Rush can make anything anyone wants to eat. It's amazing...
I CAN'T MISS THE BABY
[He looks up and stares at the sign for a long moment before he smiles, sinking down into a crouch and releasing her hand only in favor of holding out his arms.]
Do you want to go in? [Please let him carry you, Eri.]
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There's a moment where she pauses, her left hand reaching up to unconsciously touch the horn protruding from her forehead. It's small right now, unlike how it had been when it grew before, but still enough to be noticable. She's not afraid to have contact with people as much as she had been, but at least if she's holding a hand she can quickly let go if she realizes something's gone wrong. What about here, though? What if something happened? She wouldn't know what to do if she hurt this nice man.
She moves her hand away after a moment, telling herself that it's fine. It's small...there's not enough power for her to do anything. She hasn't been able to for a long time, now.
Eri walks over to Tanjiro a little shyly before she holds her arms up towards him so he can pick her up.]
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[When she shuffles toward him, all shy and meek, he very nearly feels his insides melt and slosh around inside of him, and he can't help the positively gooey smile on his face-- even if it's bizarrely kind of sad, as well. He doesn't waste any time, then, reaching out and scooping her to him, squeezing her gently before standing back up, letting her perch on his forearm while his other hand rests between her shoulders so she doesn't tip over.]
So you said he can make anything? What's your favorite to have him make, then?
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Candy apples! Though...they're not for dinner. I like apple pie, too...and sometimes he makes applesauce at lunchtime!
[She really likes apples.]
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So you like apples then, is that right? [He hums in thought.] You know, you can put apples in spices and cook them to make them soft and make them a treat with any meal, too! Usually with cinnamon and nutmeg, which are really good for you!
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"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"!
[She suddenly parrots, her legs swinging a little in Tanjiro's grasp.]
That's what Mr. Lemillion says.
I KEEP MISSING THE BABY
I think I've heard that saying, before... They're very good for you, so Mr. Lemillion is right when he says that. Have you ever had apple slices where the skin is cut to look like a rabbit?
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Those are my favorite.
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They're the best way to eat apple slices, that's for sure.
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Can we ask Mr. Lunch Rush if he has any today?
[She asks him, as if she doesn't already have more authority here than he does by proxy.]