Throughout the day, (Y/n) introduced Shadow to the most important people in her life—All Might, Miketsukami, and Stitch.

The introductions were brief, but the conversations ran deep.

They spoke about everything—from the beginning of her journey as All Might's adoptive daughter, to the shocking revelation of her biological link to him.

They covered her agency, her battles, her trials—the USJ incident, her encounters with the White Witch, the summer camp invasion, her kidnapping, the torture, the fights at Kamino.

Each story unraveled piece by piece.

And Shadow listened.

Though he remained composed, there were moments where his fists clenched or his brows furrowed in silent rage—especially when the topic turned to the pain she had endured.

By the end of the discussion, he didn't just feel determined to protect her.

He was resolute.

He would not let her go through anything like that again.

.

Later that day, Miketsukami took them to (Y/n)'s agency.

The moment they stepped inside, Shadow immediately felt out of place.

The facility was sleek and modern, bustling with Paladins moving efficiently through hallways, training rooms, and strategic planning areas.

Despite this unfamiliarity, he was welcomed instantly.

The team introduced themselves one by one.

Though he remained stoic, he could feel himself slowly opening up—a little more than he expected.

However, when they invited him to join the Paladins, he declined.

.

"I appreciate the offer, but I prefer my role as (Y/n)'s personal bodyguard."

The team respected his decision—until they witnessed his powers firsthand.

Once they realized his abilities were not quirks, they swore never to reveal the true nature of his strength.

Despite his initial discomfort, Shadow was taken to various simulators and testing rooms to further analyze his abilities.

The presence of (Y/n) watching from the sidelines encouraged him to demonstrate more than he normally would.

Even so, he held back.

If he unleashed his full power, it would lead to disaster.

The data collected gave some insight into his abilities, but even they knew—Shadow's full potential was still unknown.

For now, they would leave it at that.

.

As a final test, Shadow faced off against the Paladins in a series of one-on-one sparring matches.

It quickly became evident—

He was unstoppable.

One by one, each Paladin fell to his sheer speed, strength, and battle instincts.

His winning streak was undeniable.

Even some of the strongest barely lasted a minute against him.

His victories, however, were not fueled by arrogance.

Shadow was calculating, efficient. Disciplined.

And most importantly—he never struck to kill.

By the end of the matches, he stood undefeated.

The Paladins couldn't deny it.

If (Y/n) was Aslan's daughter, then Shadow was her sword

.

As Shadow finished his final match, he turned toward (Y/n).

She was watching from the sidelines, holding a small box wrapped in a bow.

He furrowed his brows.

"What's this?"

(Y/n) beamed, passing it to him.

"It's for you."

Shadow raised an eyebrow, carefully undoing the bow and lifting the lid.

Inside, his breath caught.

A sleek pair of black-and-white, futuristic boots with a hoverboard-like design.

A set of white gloves with two gold rings.

He looked down at the medallion still wrapped around his wrist, then back at the gear in his hands.

He turned to (Y/n), waiting for an explanation

"The results from your analysis came in quickly," she explained. "I worked with the support team and got some input from the Paladins. Considering your speed and power, I thought these would be excellent support items for you. You're already fast—but these will make you even faster. Plus... there are some tricks you'll have to discover on your own."

Shadow said nothing at first.

Instead, he silently slid on the gloves.

Then, he pulled on the boots.

They fit perfectly.

He took a few steps—light, fluid, precise.

A small smirk formed on his lips as he flexed his fingers.

.

(Y/n) nodded, satisfied.

Then, she carefully stood.

Her movements were slow but determined—as she reached for a single crutch.

Her lion's foot had healed well, but she was relearning how to walk.

She couldn't rely on a wheelchair forever.

Shadow tensed, instinctively moving forward to stop her.

But one glance at her expression told him—

She had already decided.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Stubborn as always"

Still, he positioned himself beside her, steadying her with a firm but gentle grip.

Without a word, he harnessed his Chaos Energy.

In a blink—

They teleported to the car where Miketsukami was waiting.

.

The moment (Y/n) arrived home, she noticed All Might and Aizawa deep in conversation in the living room.

At the sound of her soft groan and approaching footsteps, both men turned their heads toward her.

She blinked in surprise.

They were both wearing white button-up shirts, a rare sight for Aizawa, whose usually unkempt hair was neatly combed back. Each held a stack of folders in their hands.

But what caught Aizawa's attention wasn't the change in scenery.

It was the black and red-striped hedgehog standing beside her.

Shadow narrowed his eyes at the tired-looking man before glancing up at (Y/n).

"Who's the guy with the permanently baggy eyes?" he asked bluntly.

(Y/n) giggled, shaking her head.

With Shadow's help, she made her way to the sofa, settling into the cushions as he took a seat beside her.

"Uncle Sho, this is Shadow. He's a good friend of mine and has been assigned as my bodyguard. Shadow, this is my uncle, Shota Aizawa. He's also my homeroom teacher."

Both men nodded at one another—neither breaking eye contact.

Aizawa finally exhaled.

"I've heard about you from All Might. But that's not why I'm here."

His tone was firm as he placed the files on the coffee table.

"(Y/n), I know this is sudden, but Principal Nezu has officially decided to implement the dormitory system for the upcoming semester.

(Y/n) blinked, "Dorms?" she asked, confused.

All Might nodded, stepping in.

"It's been in the works for a while now, but after everything that happened—the training camp, the Kamino incident—Nezu decided to move forward with the plan to ensure more safety and supervision for students."

Shadow's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The fact that both of you are here discussing this means there's already a plan in place. And you want (Y/n) involved to help push it forward, correct?"

Both Aizawa and All Might shared a knowing glance.

"You're sharp," Aizawa admitted. "Yes. We believe that (Y/n)'s presence will help ease the transition for the students and their families. We already notified the families about our visits."

"It would also give her the opportunity to reunite with her classmates before returning to active hero duties," All Might added. "I'm sure they're eager to see her."

Shadow turned toward (Y/n), waiting for her response.

(Y/n) considered it for a moment before nodding.

"I don't mind tagging along, but..." she hesitated before continuing, "with Shadow assigned to me, would it be possible for him to move into the dorms as well?"

Aizawa and All Might exchanged glances once again.

"That would be manageable, " All Might confirmed.

Just then, Miketsukami entered the room, bowing politely to the men present.

"Gentlemen, (Y/n), the car is ready outside. Everything has been prepared. I will be your driver for the trip."

Aizawa took a step forward, pulling out a thick stack of folders.

"Shadow, since you'll be guarding (Y/n), I suggest you take the time to familiarize yourself with her classmates.

He handed half the files to Shadow.

"Get a basic understanding of who they are. You'll get to know them better in person, but this will give you a head start."

Shadow wordlessly flipped open the first file.

Within seconds, his red eyes scanned through each document at inhuman speed.

By the time they reached the car, he had finished the entire stack.

Aizawa blinked.

"Huh"

He raised an eyebrow before handing over the rest of the files inside the car.

In less than a second— Shadow was done.

Aizawa exhaled, rubbing his temple.

"I'm never playing speed chess with you."

Shadow smirked slightly.

.

Throughout the day, (Y/n) sat with All Might and Aizawa as they visited her classmates' homes to speak with their families about U.A.'s new dorm system.

Each visit was a mix of emotions—some families were hesitant, others were overjoyed to see their children getting a closer bond with their hero education.

For (Y/n), the experience was overwhelming yet heartwarming.

Many of her classmates rushed to embrace her, some even shedding tears, happy to finally see her in person after everything she had been through.

Some parents were worried about her condition, but (Y/n) reassured them, using her telepathy to ease their concerns.

As for Shadow, he remained by her side—either standing with his arms crossed as she sat, or scanning the surroundings from a distance, ensuring no possible threats could interfere.

One person, however, didn't get close.

Mineta.

From the moment Shadow laid eyes on him, he didn't like him.

Even after reading his file, his distaste only grew.

Mineta must've sensed it because he kept his distance, sweating nervously whenever Shadow's glowing red eyes flicked in his direction.

Still, the day continued as scheduled..

.

===(Jiro's Residency)===

Aizawa, All Might, and (Y/n) sat across from Jiro's parents in the Jiro family living room.

Shadow was beside (Y/n), sitting on the armrest of the couch, maintaining his usual stoic demeanor

"I dunno," Jiro's father muttered, arms crossed. "Sounds pretty outta tune to me. I get that you guys don't wanna keep talking about what happened, but moving the kids into dorms isn't going to change the fact that my daughter was injured."

Aizawa nodded, his expression neutral but understanding.

"What you're saying is quite true, Mr. Jiro. However, I'd like to assure you that this is not about U.A.'s pride. We've considered all possible alternatives, and after much deliberation, we believe this to be the best course of action. I hope you'll honor us by allowing Kyoka to continue her studies at U.A. I wholeheartedly believe that she has the potential to become a remarkable hero."

Jiro's father grunted, but before he could say anything else, a voice chimed in.

"Whoa. No need for you to be all formal, Mr. Aizawa. We already decided what we were gonna do right after we got the notice in the mail."

Jiro entered the room, carrying a tray of tea cups, setting them down in front of the guests.

She handed one to Shadow, who took it wordlessly, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

Jiro smirked, setting herself beside her mother.

"I mean, you should've heard my old man during All Might's and (Y/n)'s fight."

(Y/n) tilted her head slightly in curiosity.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he was crying."

Jiro straightened up, smirking at her father, who immediately waved his hands in defense.

"Kyoka, c'mon! I was trying to act all strict 'n stuff for these dudes!"

"Oh, chill, Dad," Jiro snickered, her sharp grin widening.

"Hey, cut it out, you two. Save the aggression for your music," Jiro's mother sighed, shaking her head with a fond smile.

The room shared a laugh before (Y/n) finally spoke, her telepathy gently reaching all their minds.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jiro, I just want to personally thank you for trusting U.A. and for allowing Kyoka to continue her journey as a hero. I know how difficult it is to put your child in harm's way, especially when the world feels unpredictable. But Kyoka has proven time and time again that she is capable, resilient, and courageous. She doesn't just fight for herself—she fights for the people she cares about. And that's what makes a true hero."

Jiro's parents exchanged a glance, softening at her words.

Jiro folded her arms, raising an eyebrow at (Y/n).

"Huh. You always talk like you're ten years older than the rest of us."

(Y/n) smiled knowingly.

"Experience makes people grow faster than time does."

Jiro stared at her for a moment, before shaking her head with a chuckle.

"Well, I guess that's fair. You've been through a lot."

As Jiro said this, Shadow's sharp crimson eyes flickered toward (Y/n)'s hands resting on her lap.

At first glance, they appeared calm and composed, just like the rest of her demeanor. But he noticed something others wouldn't.

Her fingers twitched, her knuckles were turning a shade paler than usual, and the subtle tremor in her hands was barely noticeable to the naked eye.

But he saw it.

It wasn't a reaction of nervousness—no, this was something deeper. Something gnawed at her, whether it was pain or something on her mind, he wasn't sure.

Shadow's gaze lingered on her hands for a second longer, but he said nothing. Instead, he leaned back slightly, arms crossed, watching her carefully.

(Y/n) gave a small chuckle, completely unaware of his silent observation.

"We all have. But no one should have to go through it alone."

Jiro's mother sighed gratefully, placing a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder.

"Thank you, (Y/n). I think we needed to hear that."

As they prepared to leave, Jiro's parents thanked them, and (Y/n) gave a small nod of appreciation before Shadow helped her up, leading her back to the car for their next visit

.

===(In the Car)===

As the car rolled smoothly towards their next destination, Aizawa sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Y'know, I thought the parents would come down on us a lot harder. Guess I owe you a drink," he muttered to All Might, who chuckled softly.

"No thanks. I can't drink anymore; besides, this isn't some kind of contest.

All Might's expression shifted slightly, his gaze drifting toward (Y/n) in front of him.

(Y/n) was staring out the window, her hands resting gently on her lap. 

Shadow sat beside her, arms crossed, maintaining his usual stoic presence. He left an open space on the other side, but it was clear that his placement wasn't coincidental. He had truly meant what he said—he wasn't leaving (Y/n)'s side.

That wasn't what unsettled All Might.

She was there, but not fully there.

Throughout the visits, (Y/n) had been nothing but composed, polite, and reassuring—answering questions thoroughly, offering warmth to everyone she met. But something was missing.

She hadn't initiated a single conversation.

She hadn't poked fun at Aizawa's tired expressions, hadn't commented on how All Might still couldn't sit properly in the car, hadn't sighed at Shadow's ever-present brooding silence.

She was still her, but not entirely

"We have arrived." Miketsukami's smooth voice cut through All Might's thoughts as the car came to a halt

.

===(Bakugou's Residency)===

The moment the door opened, Mitsuki Bakugou stepped out, her usual fierce expression softened with relief.

"(Y/n)!"

Without hesitation, she pulled (Y/n) into a firm but careful embrace, her eyes glistening though she refused to let the tears fall.

Masaru stood beside her, placing a warm hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Shadow, standing behind them, watched silently, his gaze shifting between the interactions, observing carefully.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Mitsuki murmured, holding (Y/n) close. "Katsuki's been worried non-stop since your arrest."

(Y/n) smiled gently, closing her eyes for a moment, as if soaking in the warmth of the embrace.

"Thank you, Mitsuki. I'm sorry for putting you all through that... I'm just glad I get to see you again."

Her voice, though steady, held a quiet emotion beneath it. She reached for Masaru's hand, giving it a light squeeze—a silent thank you for their unwavering support.

From the living room, All Might and Aizawa stood back, watching the interaction unfold. They didn't intervene. This was different. Mitsuki and Masaru weren't just old family friends—they were the ones who watched (Y/n) being taken away that day. They had seen her suffer, powerless to stop it.

And now, they finally had her back.

"Nonsense," Mitsuki huffed, pulling back and brushing a strand of (Y/n)'s hair aside. "You have nothing to apologize for.

Then, her sharp voice rang through the house.

"KATSUKI! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE! YOUR TEACHERS AND (Y/N) ARE HERE!"

Then, she turned back with a pleasant smile.

"Come in, come in"

As she gestured for (Y/n) to enter, Shadow instinctively moving beside her, his presence almost like an unspoken shield as they made their way inside.

As they entered the living room, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Slowly making his way down was Bakugou Katsuki.

He was dressed in black sweatpants and a matching black shirt with a skull logo on the chest. Hands buried deep in his pockets, his usual scowl was set in place, but his expression was neutral.

For a brief second, his eyes flickered toward (Y/n). His gaze swept over her injuries, the bandages, the crutch, the exhaustion hidden behind her eyes.

Then, he caught sight of the strange creature standing beside her.

A black-and-red hedgehog-looking thing wearing only gloves and futuristic boots.

Bakugou's brows twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

(Y/n) smiled softly the moment their eyes met, genuinely happy to see him.

But then—he scoffed and looked away.

Her smile faltered, just slightly.

"Katsuki, don't be so damn rude! Go say hi to little (Y/n)!" Mitsuki hissed, whispering harshly in her son's ear. "I thought you'd be excited to see her, idiot!

With a begrudging grunt, Bakugou dragged his feet toward (Y/n). His red eyes never quite met hers, and it was clear he was only moving because of his mother's glare burning into the back of his skull.

Reluctantly, he raised an arm, pulling her into a half-hearted embrace.

Except... it wasn't really a hug at all.

(Y/n) could tell immediately.

His arms never tightened around her, his body language stiff, unwelcoming.

She hesitated, but still, she reached up slowly, reciprocating the gesture despite the lack of warmth. She had missed him dearly—more than she could express—but the moment she brushed against his arms, she felt it.

His muscles tensed.

His teeth clenched.

His hands, though idle, were curled into tight fists.

There was something storming inside of him.

She stepped back, smiling at him like always, pretending not to notice.

Shadow, however, noticed everything.

His crimson gaze tracked every small movement. The stiffness in Bakugou's stance. The tension in his shoulders. The way his hands clenched just a little too tightly at