Hitoshi has never had a little sibling before, not really. Sure, he's had younger foster siblings before, little kids who looked up at him blankly before they learned that he was something to be feared, something to be hated. At a certain point, he stopped bothering to learn their names.
Hitoshi has never had a real little sibling before. He's not sure he'll be any good at it but he's going to try.
His parents are obviously worried about it. They'd sat down and had a long talk about how much they love him and whether he's really alright with it. Hitoshi is admittedly, in the dark moments lying awake at night, still insecure and terrified that they'll leave him but those thoughts never manage to linger long in the presence of his parents who gently ruffle his hair and beam when he groggily joins them for breakfast. He didn't think anyone could tear down the walls of his heart after he'd built them so high but they had, with all the care he had never experienced before, managed it.
He thinks he might be able to handle trying. It'll hurt if she hates him too but he believes his parents when they say nothing could make them stop loving him.
-
Hitoshi meets her in the hospital a few weeks after her rescue. His Papa had come back the day before after meeting her for the first time and ranted about how cute and precious she is to his blatantly amused husband for thirty minutes. Then he moved onto regaling Hitoshi, as if he hadn't heard the whole thing, just to make sure he was included. They'd spaced out their visits so as not to overwhelm her, she's still not comfortable with many people.
He's nervous in the car, nervous checking in, nervous walking the halls and facing the door. His Dad gives his shoulder a light squeeze and looks him in the eye outside her room.
"It'll be fine Hitoshi, we love you no matter what, and you're a good person. I'm certain Eri will see that."
"ok." He takes a deep breath and opens the door.
Hitoshi's first thought is an incredibly eloquent "cute." She's sitting on the hospital bed hugging a white rabbit plush over half her size Papa no doubt brought, doing her absolute best to hide behind it. She's tiny and shy and adorable and Hitoshi totally gets why he had to listen to his Papa rant for almost an hour.
He stands there awkwardly, doing his best not to fidget as his Dad crouches down and introduces them to each other. He waves and his Dad gives him a look.
"Uh, hi Eri, it's nice to meet you." Hitoshi, despite other people's best efforts for most of his life, is usually very good at talking. Not just getting responses for his quirk but also just carrying a conversation. He's reserved and quiet most of the time, yes, but not awkward. He feels like he's floundering in place now, not a clue what to say next.
"hi," she responds, still hiding behind her stuffed bunny. "are you a hero too?"
"um, I'm training to be one. So, someday, I guess." Was that weird? it felt weird?
"Oh," she's looking at him with much less apprehension now, leaning forward and clutching her bunny instead of hiding behind it. "Who's your favorite hero? Mine's Deku and Lemillion, they saved me. They're really nice and cool! Aizawa-san says I can see them again soon!"
This is one of the most humiliating moments of his life he's certain. He could lie, come up with some random person who isn't his parent but how could anyone lie to that face. She looks so interested in his answer! So he mumbles "Well, I guess it's only fair if we both do two, Mine's Eraserhead and Present Mic."
God, he wishes he was wearing his capture weapon right now, he's bright red he just knows it. He stubbornly doesn't look over at his Dad, he's sure they had an inkling with the blurry pictures and cheap Put Your Hands Up Radio! poster he had hidden in his last foster home but he's never admitted it out loud before. Forget getting along with his new little sibling if this gets back to his Papa he'll die.
Eri considers his answer and nods seriously. "Present Mic-san gave me a bunny, he's a very nice hero." She holds the stuffed animal out so Hitoshi can see it better.
"That's great Eri."
"And Aizawa-san can make my cur-quirk stop working so I don't hurt anyone."
"Yeah" Hitoshi still doesn't want to look over but he's tempted to do it anyway just to beg for some answers from his Dad with his eyes. How is he supposed to handle this? Give some speech about how he used to be scared of his quirk too? He doesn't know! That seems way too personal for a first meeting.
"Hey Eri," thank god someone seems to sense his panic, "Hitoshi brought something for you too."
"Really?" She seems so surprised, it's adorable.
"Yeah, I heard from Dad that you really like Deku so, um, one of my friends likes to make things and so I asked her to make something for you." He searches his bag and manages to find his prize, a little handmade plush Deku doll.
Her eyes are huge as she takes it reverently. Hitoshi is so glad it went over well, he definitely owes Hiromi big time.
"thank you," Her eyes are sparkling with joy even as she doesn't smile, Hitoshi doesn't mind, it took him a long time to heal too.
-
He feels much better leaving the hospital than he did entering, he has no idea how to proceed but she doesn't hate him. He didn't really plan much beyond getting her to not hate him.
He definitely doesn't appreciate his Dad's knowing looks though. Yeah, it wasn't horrible but there's no need to rub it in.
"So, are you feeling better about it Hitoshi?"
"Yeah... She's cute and she doesn't hate me so that's good."
"We'll have to work on your expectations of people hating you later. In the meantime, let's go home. I hope you know Hizashi is going to freak out about being one of your favorite heroes." He teases gently and bumps their shoulders together lightly.
"You cannot tell him." Hitoshi was hoping he would forget.
-
Hitoshi manages to dodge his parents for a while after his return from the hospital citing homework and friends, which, he has friends now, that is... amazing. It's crazy how much his life has changed for the better in so little time. He didn't think that was possible in middle school where his greatest ambitions began and ended with keeping to himself, not getting muzzled, hopefully not getting bullied too hard and becoming a hero.
Despite his best efforts he somehow managed to wind up friends with two kids in Class 1-C who for some reason didn't drop him the minute he transferred. Not only that, he's on fairly good terms with everyone in 1-A. It's almost inconceivable and Hitoshi wishes he could go back in time for a little bit and shake his younger self and tell him how much better things are going to be. That holding on isn't pointless, and not only is he achieving his long held pipedream of becoming a hero, he's also living his long forgotten dream of having a family, a real one!
He promised Hiromi to report on how Eri liked the doll so he heads to the 1-C dorms first. She squeals as he describes how excited she looked and promises to make a Lemillion doll the next chance she gets.
"I wanna give it to her though Hitoshi! You can't keep her all to yourself! An artist can't live on second-hand compliments you know."
"Yeah sure, she'll have to get acclimated first though."
"Don't forget to introduce both of us." His other friend pipes up from their place sprawled on the floor, "I should get partial credit for helping with the colors."
"Of course, of course, we would never forget about you Minato."
"Good."
Hitoshi hangs out for quite some time and eventually they move on to studying together. They may be in different classes now but their math homework is still the same. They made him promise to still show up to their little study group before he transferred and honestly Hitoshi would have come even without the dramatic threats to hunt him down.
-
"Shinsou! You're back! Where were you?" Ashido greets him as soon as he makes it back to the dorms.
Hitoshi can't say he minds that his classmates noticed he was gone but some of them are really nosy and he'd honestly rather keep some things to himself.
"Out."
"Where?"
"Out."
"You're no fun Shinsou." She pouts from her place on the couch.
"How dare you, I'm a delight."
Hitoshi watches with a soft smile as they get distracted and start bickering with Todoroki as he provides his own theory on where Hitoshi was. Hagakure in particular seems insulted that Hitoshi would keep a secret like running a detective agency on the side from them.
-
Hitoshi sneaks out around dinner to visit his parents, it's not that he doesn't appreciate his classmate's attempts but... honestly Bakugou possesses all of the Bakusquads kitchen skills and he doesn't want to try another stew with chocolate in it. He'll withstand the humiliation of his Papa's excitement over that any day.
He's greeted at the door with a hug.
"Hitoshi! I'm one of your favorite heroes!?"
"I was hoping he wouldn't say anything." Hitoshi groans, he's certain he's blushing all the way to his ears, this is so embarrassing. He worked so hard not to fanboy the first couple of weeks staying with them only to admit it outright.
"It means a lot to me kiddo, and you know what?" his Papa whispers "you're one of my favorite heroes too! you're going to be great."
Well if he wasn't blushing before he is now. He buries his face in hands as soon as the hug ends. Why are they like this? So supportive and loving? His heart can't take it.
"Now, how was Eri? I heard your present went over well, give me all the details!"
-
A few days later sees Midoriya returning from his own visit blushing furiously and making a beeline for Hitoshi. He was expecting it but he still feigns ignorance when he's dragged into the nearest empty room.
"Y-you!"
"Yes?"
"Where did you find that plush?"
"What plush?" He's full on grinning now. "You'll have to be more specific Midoriya."
"Of me! Eri has a plush of me! It's so embarrassing and I can't even say anything cause she's so cute!" He whines, "I can't handle it!"
"She's your biggest fan, I had to get her some merch." Hitoshi shrugs, his tone turning even more teasing. "You'll be fine, I'm sure she won't turn out as big a fan of Deku as you are of All Might."
That image manages to turn his face an even darker shade of red. This is turning out even better than Hitoshi could have hoped. He's just so cute! Wait. Cute? Since when was Midoriya cute? Oh well, something to consider later.
"Noooooo... just tell me where you got it."
"What can I say," he puts on a smug expression, "I have friends in high places."
"What, like your dads? Shinsou please tell me it wasn't your dads I would die. My teachers cannot have been involved in producing merch of me."
Now it's Hitoshi's turn to splutter.
"You know who my parents are?"
"Huh? Yeah, it's not hard to figure out. You go to the teacher's dorm for dinner a lot and I've seen Aizawa-sensei ruffle your hair, plus I saw Yamada-sensei say something about 'his own son abandoning him' when you didn't laugh at one of his jokes. That and Aizawa-sensei introduced you to Eri but not the rest of the class. Anyway, please tell me they weren't involved."
Hitoshi can't hold back his laughter anymore and Midoriya's pouting only makes it worse. Finally, he manages to calm down enough to tell him about Hiromi's hobby of making dolls. He buries his face in his arms upon hearing it was Aizawa's idea and groans, sliding down the wall in despair.
"Shinsou, I'm going to get on a train and go very far away and never ever return, please don't look for me."
Hitoshi pats his head in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.
"If it makes you feel any better, she asked me who my favorite heroes were when we met."
Midoriya perks up a little at this, Hitoshi has never mentioned having favorite heroes to him before.
"I cannot tell you how painful it is to admit that your parents are your favorite heroes while one of them is in the room. I managed to hide my fanboying around Mic for months until I got used to him! They both knew I was huge Eraserhead fan but not Present Mic. Why do you think my English grades are so good? I used to listen to his show all the time after everyone else in my foster home went to bed."
"Awww, Shinsou that's adorable, I bet that made him really happy."
Hitoshi freezes at being called adorable before processing the rest of the sentence.
"Yeah, he was really happy I guess."
-
Eventually the time comes for Eri to come live in the teacher's dorms. Hitoshi helps set up her room, he wants it to be perfect for her. He suggests glow in the dark stars for her ceiling and spends time making constellations and clusters above her bed. He remembers waking up from nightmares when he first came to stay terrified and unable to remember where he was. He doesn't say anything but he secretly hopes that the little glowing stars help calm that panic if only a moment sooner for her.
He wonders if his parents were this nervous when he first came to stay.
She comes in clutching her bunny and Deku plush tightly, nervous as can be. Aizawa is gentle in leading her past the entryway and into her new home. Hitoshi leaves the apartment tour to his Papa but joins along. The apartment has three bedrooms, one for his parents, one for Eri, and one for him when he needs it. He's supposed to stay in the 1-A dorms but unless everyone in class goes home on the weekend or breaks his parents stay behind as the responsible teachers. He'd much rather lie around in the teachers dorm than the student dorms on those days. There's a rather nice living room, a couple bathrooms and a tiny kitchen. Seeing as it is a dorm, there's common areas downstairs as well.
She seems a little overwhelmed by everything but Hitoshi manages to catch a little awe when she learns about the stars. Mission accomplished!
They stay in for a quiet evening and Hitoshi joins for the cute animated movie they put on after dinner. Eri isn't comfortable with the casual touch the rest of the family has gotten accustomed to yet. She puts a little space between herself and the rest of the family. It's ok, it took Hitoshi weeks to stop flinching when they got too close too fast. Eventually the tension in her shoulders drops as she struggles to stay awake.
They pause the movie and Aizawa crouches in front of the couch and gently takes her hand. He waits for her eyes to gain some clarity before guiding her off to her new room, making sure to grab her bunny and Deku along the way.
-
He doesn't see her much the next day, busy with training and homework but the day after he manages to find a couple hours. He doesn't want their relationship to be neutral or distant, he wants to be a good big brother, which means spending time with her.
His Papa gives him a knowing smile before handing her off so he can attend a meeting. It's... a little awkward at first, neither of them really know what to say or do. Hitoshi is once again faced with the realization that he doesn't really know what to do with little kids. Eventually he just settles for asking about what she did, he's not sure what's so exciting about the flowers outside the teachers dorms but he is more than happy to nod along.
Eventually their mostly one-sided conversation tapers off and Hitoshi cuts up an apple for them to share. She seems to enjoy it and he takes the opportunity to think of what to do now.
"Hey Eri, you liked the flowers right?"
He gets a decisive nod.
"There's a forest on campus and it's not going to get dark for awhile so if you want we could go walk over there and explore for a little bit."
Her eyes shine with quiet glee, "can we!?"
"Sure."
They make their way to the woods slowly, Hitoshi has to remind himself a couple times to slow down but there's still plenty of time before it'll get dark. He follows her around as she explores and helps her up a tree she wants to climb. She asks him questions about the things she sees and he does his best to answer. Overall, it's... nice. He hasn't taken the time to just wander in a long time. He's been so busy and her childish excitement over everything is cute.
He doesn't know much about what she's gone through but he suspects she hasn't had much of a chance to just run around and hop over tree roots.
On the way back she flags and accepts his offer to carry her the rest of the way back. She falls asleep before he gets to the dorms and he melts a little at the trust she's showing by allowing herself to drift off without much of a fight. He tugs her shoes off and sets her on the couch. He's not sure how long she should sleep but he definitely isn't going to disturb her right now. He sets himself up on the other end of the couch and scrolls through his messages.
There's a couple from the group chat he has with Hiromi and Minato. She's showing off the supplies she got for Eri's Lemillion plush and praising Minato for helping pick the colors. They have a real eye for colors. Minato once admitted that they had wanted to try changing their hair each day to a new color so they could eventually be every color in the world as a child, and in order to do so had studied and memorized as much as they could about the differences between shades.
He responds with some encouragement before moving on to his other texts. Class 1-A's group chat is in a state of chaos as usual, from what Hitoshi can tell Kaminari and Sero completely forgot about one of the papers due tomorrow and Bakugou and Iida are waffling between lecturing them on good study habits and attempting to help.
His last message is from Midoriya asking if he's like to join him for lunch. Apparently he really wants to ask some questions about Hitoshi's quirk. Hitoshi smiles as another message comes in apologizing if he feels pressured and doesn't want to. He manages to agree before Midoriya can work himself up any more. His quirk works best the less people know about it but he trusts Midoriya and is somewhat aware that he seems to love analyzing quirks.
Not long after he's finished, his parents stumble through the door and he heads back to his own dorm.
-
Lunch is... good. He spends most of it trying to clamp down on any flustered feelings that pop up. Midoriya surprises him by having them eat together without his other friends. He was expecting Todoroki, Iida and Uraraka at least but Midoriya tugs him along to a different table and explains that he figured Hitoshi might not be comfortable with so many people. It's kind of touching that he thought of it. Hitoshi uses his quirk during training but he's still not very comfortable beyond that.
Talking about his quirk is something he's avoided all his life, hell, talking in general is something he's avoided most of his life. Midoriya has some genuinely interesting insights into how it works and excitedly rambles about how cool and good for heroics it is. Hitoshi still can't believe how much his life has changed.
-
He spends more time with Eri, apparently his parents have declared him a trustworthy babysitter. A proud title considering the only other first year allowed anywhere near her without strict adult supervision is Midoriya and maybe Asui in a pinch.
The fact they're the only ones trusted with her means they spend a lot of time together. Midoriya genuinely adores her and Hitoshi can't help but agree, his little sister is cute.
It's on one of these days as they hang out casually in the living room, Midoriya having spent enough time hanging around to not be jumpy around his parents, that Eri pipes up.
"Hitoshi I have a question."
"Yeah?"
"Aizawa-san and Yamada-san are your parents right?"
"Yeah, they started fostering me when I was like 12 and I've been adopted for over a year." Hitoshi has a sneaking suspicion of where this conversation is going.
"Woah, that's really old." She says it with the awe of a child speaking to someone truly ancient.
He snorts and blindly swats at Midoriya's giggling form from across the couch.
"Not really but go on."
"Does that mean they're my new parents too? I heard Yamada-san say you're my brother once."
Hitoshi calms his expression and looks her in the eye. "Only if you want, I would love to be your brother and I know Dad and Papa love you too. You're not here just because Dad can help with your quirk you know, and we won't get rid of you once you can control it better."
"Ok." He carefully doesn't watch her too intently as she ponders his answers. He doesn't want to pressure her or anything.
"Should I call them Dad and Papa then too?" She looks very hesitant.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want Eri, we all just want you to be happy. Although, if you do I will warn you. The first time I called him Papa, Hizashi started crying his eyes out."
"What!? I don't want to make Yamada-san cry!"
"Don't worry Eri, they were happy tears. Sometimes, when people feel a lot they cry, even if they're not sad."
"Oh,"
"Yeah, it really freaked me out. I thought he didn't like it and it took awhile for both of us to calm down enough to clarify. He cries a lot for a lot of different reasons so don't worry. He cried once because a bunny was too cute."
"How can a bunny be too cute?"
"I don't know Eri, it just was." He sighs dramatically.
Midoriya starts giggling again.
-
Hitoshi is staying in his room in the teachers dorm one night, trying his best to sleep when he hears muffled crying. Instantly he's fully alert and taking stock of his surroundings. That's definitely Eri. His Dad is his best bet at comforting her, she's spent the most time with him but he's out on patrol right now. His Papa's been up a lot lately working a lot on a case, he needs his sleep and without his hearing aides definitely won't hear her. That leaves Hitoshi.
He can do this. He's a hero in training! He has no idea what he's doing.
It doesn't take very long to make it next door. Hitoshi was really hoping for some time to gather his wits about him but alas. He breathes in a deep breath and knocks gently on the door. The air stills and her quiet sobs pause for a moment.
"Eri, it's Hitoshi, is, is it ok if I come in?"
She doesn't respond outside of a small sound he chooses to interpret as an affirmative so he steels himself and enters slowly.
"Hey there, um, is it ok if I touch you?"
He's desperately trying to remember how his parents comfort him after a nightmare but those memories are often hazy. He settles for pulling her onto his lap after double checking for signs of quirk use. She's so small and scared. He sits back until his back is resting against the bedframe and starts to hum. He half follows a tune he can remember his Papa singing on his worst nights and waits as her sobs peter out into quiet sniffles.
"Um, do you want to talk about it?"
She shakes her head and he nods in acknowledgement.
"Would you like me to stay?"
"yes," It's tiny but at least she's aware enough to speak.
"Do you want some hot chocolate? Papa makes it for me sometimes when I get upset."
She looks curious at the admission but doesn't ask, only nodding at the suggestion. He lifts her up on his hip and makes his way over to the kitchen. Once he gets there he tries to set her down but she looks panicked and he backtracks quickly. In the time he's known her she hasn't been very clingy but he imagines that nightmares change things. Preparing hot chocolate with a little kid on your hip is hard, Hitoshi discovers, but he won't make her get down. In fact, he's quietly pleased that she's taken to his attempts at comfort so well.
He manages to get her to sit at the counter to drink it though. They sit together in silence for... Hitoshi isn't sure but it's quite some time.
Eventually, the peaceful quiet is broken by the front door opening and his Dad stumbling in. He blinks a few times seeing them in the kitchen before he sighs fondly and moves to take off his boots.
"Are you feeling better Eri? Do you want to stay up some more or go back to bed?" Hitoshi asks quietly.
"I think I'm ok now, thanks 'Toshi." She gives him one last hug before yawning and heading back to her room. He blinks at the new nickname before breaking into a small fond smile.
After a quick hair ruffle and an inquiry about why they were up Hitoshi is also sent to bed.
"You did good Hitoshi, I'm glad you were here for her." He does his best to hide his blush but by the look on his Dad's face, he doubts he was successful.
-
Preparing for the culture festival is a mess in his humble opinion. Hitoshi is not a dancer, he feels awkward and uncomfortable no matter how many lessons Ashido crams into him. He almost wishes he could transfer back to 1-C for the festival and come back to 1-A once it's over, not that he thinks a haunted house would be much better. At least it might be fun to scare people on purpose.
He also kind of wishes he could be with Eri, she's been excited ever since Midoriya suggested it. He wants to see her eyes widen with joy but he'll settle. He's begrudgingly going to do his best at dancing, she's been talking about wanting to see 'Toshi dance ever since Midoriya bragged about his skills. He can't bring himself to disappoint her when she looks at him like that and calls him 'Toshi.
After his performance is over he hurries to meet up with Eri and her approved chaperone Toogata-senpai. He really hopes she liked it... He's stopped in his tracks by the sight of her smiling.
Not with her eyes but with her whole face! Her expression screams pure joy. He's never seen her so happy, he's never seen her smile before. He would dance like an idiot any day if it makes his little sister so happy.
He grabs Midoriya by the arm and gestures to the scene. He, very predictably, starts to sob. After he's calmed down some Hitoshi hesitantly asks if he'd like to join him to visit the rest of the festival. They've missed Eri by this point and they both have plans to meet up with friends later but they have time so they hit the food stands. Midoriya's suspiciously hungry but Hitoshi chalks it up to the dancing wearing him out more than expected.
They watch 1-B's play together and laugh through the ridiculousness of most of it before heading to 1-C. Hitoshi wants to visit his friends and Midoriya insists on meeting the person who made Eri's plush before they split up. Luckily Hiromi's out advertising instead of scaring people. She finds Midoriya's bashful embarrassment over the doll hilarious and promises to give Eri an updated version each time he makes significant changes to his costume much to his mortification.
She also keeps making eyes at Hitoshi and glancing between him and Midoriya like she knows exactly what's going on. He's going to regret introducing them he just knows it. Before long Midoriya runs off to catch up with the Dekusquad and Hitoshi is left with Hiromi to wait for Minato's break. Apparently they've been using their hair color changing quirk to surprisingly great effect. She uses the wait to tease him about Midoriya, Hitoshi has no idea what she's talking about. He's not blushing, he's not.
Finally, Minato comes to join them and they head off to enjoy the rest of the festival. Hitoshi beats both his friends at the obstacle course to much complaining about "hero course kids being in good shape." He laughs and challenges them both to a round of trivia so they can regain their honor. It doesn't help Hiromi who comes dead last but Minato manages to outdo Hitoshi so in her mind 1-C has been avenged.
He realizes at some point that he doesn't mind the gentle needling about his crush or the giggling about 1-C honor. These are his friends and he trusts them not to hurt him intentionally. He cares about them. Finally, when Minato and Hiromi have returned to the haunted house and Hitoshi has helped his classmates with clean up he meets Toogata-senpai to bring Eri home.
She lights up once she sees him and waves with a smile. She looks so happy!
"Hey there, did you have fun?"
She grabs his hand and he obliges with a small smile.
"Yes! It was amazing 'Toshi-nii!"
She proceeds to regale him with every moment of her day. Hitoshi only manages to half pay attention, he's busy having a crisis over being a big brother. Yeah, he's been a big brother this whole time but she always just called him Hitoshi or, more recently, 'Toshi.
She thinks of him as an older brother! He thinks he understands a little of why his Papa cried when he called him that for the first time. He's still in a minor state of shock when Midoriya comes running up to them.
"Eri! Shinsou! Wait up!"
He sets Eri down and they turn to wait for Midoriya catch his breath.
"Suprise!"
Hitoshi watches as he produces a candy apple and hands it to Eri explaining, only slightly breathlessly, how he went through the trouble to make it.
Hitoshi can only think of all the trouble Midoriya went through to make Eri's day truly perfect. Of how much he enjoyed spending time with Midoriya at the festival. Of the days they've spent together, sometimes alone and sometimes with Eri. Suddenly he thinks Hiromi's teasing might have held a lot more truth than he realized.
"Well, have a nice night Eri, Shinsou!"
Before he can think about it any longer Hitoshi blurts out.
"Call me Hitoshi!"
They both turn bright red and stubbornly refuse to meet the others gaze.
"T-then you can ah, c-call me Izuku, H-Hitoshi."
They briefly make eye contact before glancing away again.
"O-ok Izuku, have a good night."
His returning smile is blinding. Hitoshi thinks it's one of his new favorite sights alongside Eri's newly rediscovered smile.
Yeah, the Hitoshi of five years ago has no idea what awaits him. It might be awkward sometimes, he might have nightmares, he might not know what he's doing. But Shinsou Hitoshi has two parents who love him, an adorable little sister, friends who actually care about him, and a crush on a cute boy, he's going to be alright. He's going to be better than alright.